
THE INTERIOR OF THE JAIL IN PALMYRA, MISSOURI. 

We were confined in this place eleven weeks, previous to our being taken U 
Penitentiary, at Jefferson City. See Page 18. 



PRISON LIFE AND REFLECTIONS! 

or, 

A NARRATIVE 



ARREST, TRIAL, CONVICTION, IMPRISONMENT, TREATMENT, OBSERVA- 
TIONS, REFLECTIONS, AND DELIVERANCE 



WORK, BURR, AND THOMPSON, 



WHO SUFFERED AN 



UNJUST AND CRUEL IMPRISONMENT IN MISSOURI PENITENTIARY, 



ATTEMPTING TO AID SOME SLAVES TO LIBERTY. 



THREE PARTS IN ONE VOLUME. 



BY GEORGE THOMPSON, 

ONE OF THE PRISONERS. 



HARTFORD: 

PUBLISHED BY A. WORK. 

1851. 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1M? 

Br GEORGE THOMPSON, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United Stated for tns 
District of Ohio. 



Copyright transferred to ALANSON WORK. 



By exchange 
Univ. of Missouri Idby 

Fpn 5- 1931 



PREFACE. 



Reader, do you know the heart of a prisoner ? Are you a 
friend of convicts ? If not, you may not be much interested 
in the following pages— for they tell you much about the 
inside of a prison, and its suffering inmates. They are not 
confined entirely to the strict history of Alanson Work, James 
E. Burr, and George Thompson — they tell you much about 
other prisoners— much about the officers — something about 
the Governors, and Legislators, and Ministers of a slave State 
— they tell you a little about the poor slave — the spirit of 
slaveholders — the influence and effects of slavery, and numer- 
ous incidents, with brief reflections on various subjects. 

You will not charge me with telling something about some- 
body of whom I know nothing — or with attempting to describe 
imaginary scenes — or telling of something that occurred, 
nobody knows where — for " I speak that I do know, and 
testify that I have seen," heard, and experienced. The book 
is principally a compilation from our prison writings — mostly 
from my own, as the greater part of that which came from the 
pens of my " companions in tribulation," has been lost, or I 
was not able to obtain it. 

However, as we all lived together, I was constituted, by 
mutual consent, the scribe or secretary. 

In my journal, I recorded for all. When we came into our 
cell at night, if either had seen or heard anything during the 
day, that was of interest, he made it known, and it was re- 



IV PREFACE. 

corded by the secretary. Of the writings which are lost, the 
most valuable are their letters, which were written from time 
to time, and would give a better idea of their individual feel- 
ings, than I can in my own language — yet our feelings were so 
similar, and so nearly in unison did our hearts beat, that the 
reader must feel when reading mine, that he is in them 
reading the feelings of the other two brethren. 

I have been obliged to omit and pass by much that I desired 
to insert. Much of my journal — many letters, and various 
incidents, have been excluded. 

The reader need not expect connexion of subjects, or 
beauty of style, or elegance of language, or logical reasoning. 
I have mentioned things generally as they occurred, in their 
order, without regard to connexion. In some places, I have 
classified things of the same kind. The style, and language, 
are the spontaneous overflowings of my soul — in words which 
most readily presented themselves to my mind. And I have 
endeavored to present everything in its proper, natural light. 
The whole has been written in great haste, amid cares and 
anxieties. 

When speaking of other prisoners, I have withheld all 
names, for reasons I need not mention. When speaking of 
officers, I have given names. And I think no one can charge 
me with partiality — I have endeavored to give both sides. 
When they acted like men, I have said so — when they played 
the part of brutes, or demons, I have mentioned it. If they 
were kind, I have given them credit — if cruel, it is charged 
against them. If they complain of any one, they must com- 
plain of themselves — if Missourians are disgraced, or con- 
demned, they themselves have done it. I have recorded 
facts. 



PREFACE. 



If they are enraged, because the world has looked in upon 
their abominations, let the thought that God will expose them 
to the universe, compose their troubled consciences. If they 
are vexed with themselves, because they have so long harbored 
an enemy in their midst, let me say to them, as they said to 
us — " Just mind your own business, next time, and let other 
people alone." They must have been fools indeed, to 
suppose they could press a viper to their bosom without being 
wounded— or tread on coals, without being burned — or that 
they could lay open their hearts before a " dyed-in-the-wool 
abolitionist," and not expect that it would be laid before the 
world — or that an opossum is dead, merely because he does 
not kick, and squall, when beaten by his enemy. 

If the reader is not a Christian, he will here see the excel- 
lence and importance of that religion, which will support and 
cheer its possessor in all possible conditions in life. And oh ! 
that he may be influenced to choose a friend, who will never 
forsake — a guide who will never mistake. 

If he is a Christian, I trust he will, in the following pages, 
learn the secret of having the mind kept in " perfect peace," 
though billows dash, and tempests roar — of being filled with a 
" joy unspeakable, and full of glory," though surrounded by 
a darkness as dense as Egyptian — and of " rejoicing in the 
Lord alway," though he " die daily" — namely, trusting in 
God, rationally, sincerely, implicitly, and continually. 

The book has not been written to make money, nor to get 
a name— but to do good. I felt it to be my duty to write 
such a book, long before I left my cell — and there the most of 
it was written. 

I have endeavored to exhibit our own feelings — as also those 



VI PREFACE. 

of our enemies. I have tried to exhibit the circumstances, 
and influences, by which we were surrounded, that the grace 
of God might the more be magnified, in our preservation from 
the jaws of destruction — in our deliverance from the oppres- 
sor's power. 

Reader, you will here see the faithfulness of God to his 
promises — you will see the unfaithfulness of man. You will 
get a glimpse at the sufferings of a portion of your fellow 
creatures, of whom perhaps you never thought much, and if 
by reading this book, you shall be induced to " remember them 
in bonds as bound with them," I shall not have spent my time 
in vain. 

Part first, includes an account of the time we were in the 
County Jail, trial, sentence, &c. 

Part second, comprises about sixteen and a half months, 
under the government of John Gordon and William Burch. 

Part third, embraces the remainder of our history, under 
James Brown, Capt. Richmond, Blaine, and Co., &c. 

That every one who reads the following pages, may be 
Stimulated to labor more zealously for suffering humanity, is 
the desire and prayer of 

THE AUTHOR. 

Oberlin, April 9, 1847. 

Note. — The First Edition having met with so speedy a sale, and the 
testimony of those who have read it, being so uniform, that it has been a 
great blessing to their souls, — another Edition is sent forth to the world, 
which I desire to leave as a token of my love to the Slave, and the cause 
of Suffering Humanity, while I go far hence to labor, and die, for the 
degraded of other lands. 

GEORGE THOMPSON. 

Oberlin, December IQth, 1847. 



CONTENTS 



PART FIRST. 

CHAPTER I. 

Description of the prisoners — residence — motives and principles by which 
governed — tour of mercy — light in the darkness — betrayed — taken 
and bound — confidence in God — conduct of enemies — letter from 
Alanson to a brother — do. to his wife — extracts of letters from 
George 13—21. 

CHAPTER II. 

Alanson's journal — a murderer bailed — reflections of Gluincy committee 
— Alanson's journal ----- 21—26. 

CHAPTER III. 

Poetry, why in prison — George's journal — the library and our feelings — 
journal — letter from George — letter from James — journal, poor men 
in slave States, the vile woman — Patrollers — blasphemy — the church 
in slave States — the leaven working, friendly lawyer, a load of 
friends visit the jail, valuable cakes, counsel engaged 26—41. 

CHAPTER IV. 

The sleeping preacher — his dream — dark places, full of cruelty — Dr, 
Ely's slave — bloody towns — effects of slavery— devices of the enemy 

41—48. 
CHAPTER V. 

Letter to Mrs. Ballard— to Moses Hunter— the Missourian's letter— re- 
flections— the Dr. Bosley affair— letter from James— from Alanson 
— from George - - - - 48—56. 

CHAPTER VI. 

The command— the search— slave women in Palmyra — betrayers— a 
way opened to pass letters — rage of enemies — a slave whipped— 
promises sweet — letter to the church— sale of human beings— reflec- 



Vlii CONTENTS. 

tions on P. C. L.'s letter — court — the abolition stand — treatment of 
our friends— closet mother— the sleeping preacher again— excite- 
ment ----- - 56 — 70. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Indictments — shackles off— jury chosen — witnesses, testimony — the plead- 
ing — journal — sentence — our gallows] and murderers — bill of ex- 
ceptions and instructions — appeal refused — novel decision — our 
murderers again, testimony - 70 — 85. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Journal, twelve years in the penitentiary — a free man mobbed — mob in 
Cincinnati— the broken will — unbelief and faith — taking the slave's 
place— the last view — the Illinois and Missouri clergymen— in 
chains again — slaveholder's religion and Catholicism — trusting in 
God — the day of adversity — letter from Alanson, his feelings — letter 
from George to his parents — to Oberlin Evangelist — the slaveholder's 
plan — the accusation, look at it— abrogation of God's law — " The 
slaves will not run away " — letters from George to a friend 

85—112. 



PART SECOND. 

CHAPTER I. 

Journey to the penitentiary — Sabbath — slaveholder' idea of happiness- 
arrival at Missouri River - 112—116. 

CHAPTER II. 

Reception at penitentiary — the rules — journal how kept — the first night — 
the first morning — our cell, poetry — food — work— first Sabbath — 
second do. — brick kilns— character of officers — of prisoners — flog- 
ging — prayer in the cell, singing, reading — Alanson's first P. Y. 
letter — George's do. — chains off— the runaways — our library, read- 
ing by moonlight — the fire ... - 116 — 142. 

CHAPTER III. 

Letter from George to a friend — work in the city — a friend — treachery 
of prisoners — chain off, trustee— the Lord's supper, poetry — letter 



COIVTENTS IX 

writing — conversation — death of Ellen — slaveholder's conscience 
quieted — uses of scripture — runaways - - 142 — 156. 

CHAPTER IV. 

A man killed — dog buried — funeral sermons — George's letter to parents 
— joyful discovery — that "salt" again — letter to a friend — Sabbath 
shaving, Alanson whipped— the pleasing sight— friend brought let- 
ters — extract of answer — our character good in Missouri — slaves 
escaping — the polyglott Bible — extract of letter — abolition all the 
time — the harvest field — a man hung — visit of friends — "relieving 
the niggers" — the new cell — " the preachers " - 156 — 173. 

CHAPTER V. 

The first convert— first death bed scene — alone in the woods— fruits on 
the Sabbath— "it's out of order," chained for attempting to speak in 
meeting — the door opening — gazed at — second death bed scene — a 
prisoner baptized — the sleeping guard — "that won't count" — third 
death bed scene — experience telling meeting — self defence 173 — 185. 

CHAPTER VI. 

Talk with Capt. B. and a Senator— with Slocumb and Chandler— reflec- 
tions — giving up principles — talk with Legislators — with Slocumb 
and J. Gallagher— letter to Governor and Legislature — clothing — 
sick - 185—198. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Desire and prayer for the conversion of the world — the sympathizing 
g ar d — talk with a sick man — fourth death bed scene — dishonesty of 
officers— ardent spirits— a novel case— the hypocrite— gambler's 
happiness — satisfaction— the wonder— reflections— the hand of the 
Lord 198—207. 



CONTENTS. 



PART THIRD- 

CHAPTER I. 

New wardens— The examination— recommendation— character of offi- 
cers—points gained— influence of power— partiality— our work- 
food, table, blessing sought— unfeeling doctor— preaching— " sing 
us one of the songs of Zion "—our first prayer meeting 207—217. 

CHAPTER II. 

The revival — communion season— a dream interpreted — a convert — 
journal— describing the revival— Lovejoy's murderer— letter— the 
reconciliation — general remarks — the memorable communion sea- 
son 217-234. 

CHAPTER III. 

Letter to parents— the sick man's resolution— the sick bed repentance- 
reflections — letter — James outside — scarcity of food — the buffalo 
robes— knitting ----- 234—243. 

CHAPTER IV. 

Visit from friends, privileges— journal — letters— petition— the privilege 
— the letters— departure— Judge B.'s hospitality — reflections 

243—250. 

CHAPTER V. 

Cruel death — a man pardoned, why — amalgamation — the false tongue — 
the inspector's first examination — correspondence with the chaplain 
— letter from a Missouri brother — change of wardens again — new 
overseer — lamps— the load of sin — new responsibilities and duties — 
trials — a trying time — the New Year — letter — a great break — the 
broken arm — letter to Mrs. Beardsley — cutting hair and head shav- 
ing — Dr. Ely — Governor Reynolds murdered — class organized and 
broken up ----- - 250 — 275. 

CHAPTER VI. 

6ome interesting cases — poetry, "release of a prisoner" — intercession 
for Alanson — executive responsibility — James and the lawyer — 
James and Alanson outside — letters from them — conversation with 



CONTENTS. XI 

a Legislator, reflections — female prisoners — a prohibition— new or- 
der — " my cup runneth over " — searching cells — narrow escapes 

275—292. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Tifth death bed scene — reflections now — letter to parents — the beaten 
horse — the slave and liberty — the Holy Spiiit — the slave and his 
crime — equality of slaveholders' laws — our reformer — the little cloud 
— men made worse — the fourth of July — letter to a brother — condi- 
tion of discipleship — letters from James — my dreams — the incendi- 
ary letter— my deposition — letter—benefit of affliction — inspectors' 
second examination - 292—308. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

False names — a note of thanks — tasks — the sick, reflections — recommit- 
tents— extract from James' letter— from George's— the Christian 
slave — a break, cruelty — like seeks like— the unjust law— new chap- 
lain — deatns — talk with legislators — monthly concerts — fighting — 
our stove — George an assistant to the chaplain — holyday, prayer 
meeting 308-324. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Sixth death bed scene — letter to the widow — New Year — effort for Alan- 
son's release — talk with Legislators — Alanson pardoned, poetry, 
weatf minds, the pardon — letter from Alanson — the lying Missourian 
a man murdered — a funeral sermon — the colporteur — the great cross 
— the temperance lecturer — prayer with prisoners — did he love liber- 
ty ? — Sabbath working — a slave's theology - - 324 — 336. 

CHAPTER X. 

The chaplain driven away — the converted sailor — treatment of sick — 
slaveholders converted — seventh death bed scene — the eighth death 
bed scene— bibles— temperance pledge, tobacco, &c. — holyday, and 
prayer meeting — Capt. Gorden's humanity ! — extract of a letter — 
"abolition niggers" — the unfortunate family — inspector's third ex 
amination — " not this man, but Barrabas " — Pope G. — Fussing 
guard — address to Gov. E., poetry — More pardoned — a case of cru- 
elty — nothing against me — visit from friends, rich blessings — slave- 
holder's Christianity — ducking — new preacher — new prisoner 

336—355. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XI. 



Another interesting case— James fainted — a day of fasting and prayer — 
Catholics— petition for us— Chase and Judge B.— letter to Gov. E. 
— secretary of state talked with ns — James pardoned — poetry — new 
cell mate — the slave's request — hogs out — conversation with String- 
fellow— converts— fugitive missionary — the Lord defended me — last 
communion — Miss Dix — Capt. G.'s sabbath breaking — conversation 
with a sick convert — poetry, Torrey's death - - 355 — 370. 

CHAPTER XII. 

The aged father's visit to his son in prison — conversation about my 
private sentiments— why not do so again — my release — conversation 
with the Governor — time of imprisonment — farewell reflections — 
concluding address to the reader - 370 — 377. 



PRISON LIFE AND REFLECTIONS. 



PART FIRST. 
CHAPTER I. 

MOTIVES, ARREST, IMPRISONMENT, ETC. 

The subjects of this narrative are Alanson Work, 
James E. Burr, and George Thompson. The former 
was a man about forty years old — having a wife and four 
children — he was living at the Mission Institute, for the 
sake of educating his children, and training them up 
for usefulness. The other two persons were young men 
studying for the ministry. 

The Mission Institute being situated near the Missis- 
sippi River, and just across the River from a Slave State 
(Missouri), we could, as it were, hear the crack of the 
overseer's whip — the shrieks and groans of those who 
were suffering its cruel inflictions. Their earnest cries 
for help — their sighs for deliverance — their importunate 
entreaties, as they rehearsed to us their tales of woe, 
reached our ears, and our hearts melted with pity, while 
the resolution was formed to respond to their call ; and 
if need be, risk our own liberty and lives to effect their 
rescue. 

Inasmuch as we desired mercy from the " God of 
heaven, 3 ' should we at any time, be brought into trouble, 
we did not dare to shut our eyes, nor our ears, nor our 
hearts, nor to restrain our hands from delivering them 
out of their troubles — remembering, " Whoso stoppeth 
his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, 
and shall not be heard." We knew if we were in their 



14 A TOUR OF MERCY. 

condition, we should feel very thankful to any one who 
would render us the desired assistance ; and then calling 
to mind the gospel rule, " Asye would that men should 
do to you, do ye even so unto them," we felt impelled 
to lend a helping hand. Likewise the command to love 
our neighbor as ourselves, impressed upon us the same 
obligation — so that we made up our minds, with earnest 
prayer for divine guidance, and anxious consultation, in 
view of these and many other principles and commands, 
to make the attempt — to " rid them out of the hand of the 
oppressor." 

About the first of July, 1841, James, with another 
brother, made a tour of mercy into Missouri, which re- 
sulted in an agreement with two slaves, to meet them at 
a certain point on the river, on a certain evening, to 
assist them across the river, on their way to freedom. 
On the day appointed, we went, arriving at the place 
about the middle of the afternoon. Alanson and James 
went into the country to view and reconnoitre, while I 
remained in the skiff to fish, and await their return. 
While thus alone my prayer was, ki Lord, I beseech 
thee, send us good speed this day." And we now feel 
that the prayer was abundantly answered — though in a 
very different way from what we expected. We desired 
the liberation of the slaves. God knew how to bring it 
about, better than we did. We longed to be instrumen- 
tal in doing something for our brethren in bonds. God 
granted us our hearts' desire. And a happy day for the 
slaves of Missouri was it, when we were taken captive, 
bound, and incarcerated in their midst. This was plac- 
ing the light just were it was most needed — in the dense 
darkness — and where it made visible the abominations 
that prevailed. Blessed be God ! After dark, a number 
of slaves came to Alanson and James, in the prairie, and 
pretended they were going with them. They had pro- 
ceeded but a short distance, when on a sudden, the slave- 
holders arose out of the grass, with their rifles, and took 
them prisoners — placing the muzzle of their guns to their 
breasts, and threatening, " I will shoot him any how," — 
but the mercy of the Lord prevailed. They were bound, 



DISCOVERY AND ARREST. 15 

and taken to a house, where they were kept, while the 
blood-hounds came in hot pursuit of me. I was in the 
skiff. At first three or four slaves came, and approach- 
ing the bonk very cautiously, one asked, " Are you a 
friend?" I replied, " I am." I had talked with them 
but a short time, when suddenly I heard another kind 
of a salutation, " Come out of that, or I'll blow you 
through!" I looked up, and two guns were pointed at 
me from the bank. I was obedient to my new com- 
manders — dropped my fishing pole, and marched up to 
them, in secret ejaculations committing myself to God, 
to do with me as He saw best. Though the thing was 
so perfectly unlooked for, and unthought of, the Lord 
stood by me, saying, " fear not, I am with thee" — and 
my mind was calm — my soul composed — and my faith 
unwavering, that all was right and for the best. Of what 
was before me, I could form no conception, but felt that 
infinite wisdom and goodness would lead me. Sudden 
death seemed quite probable, amid their numerous threats 
to shoot me ; " but none of these things moved me, 
neither counted I my life dear unto myself, so that I 
might finish my course with joy" in the holy cause of 
suffering humanity. To die for the slave I felt willing, 
if this was the thing needed — the Lord being Judge. 

I was bound, and marched barefoot, over hubs, roots, 
and stones. Host after host came with all speed to meet 
us, and " the earth rang again" with their fiendish yells. 
It seemed almost as if the infernal regions had been un- 
capped, and had vomited forth their legions to hail our 
approach, as if some long dreaded monster had been 
raptured. But oh ! how sweet it was to feel that they 
could not go beyond what my Father should kindly and 
wisely permit. This kept me in peace. 

After they had eaten supper, they marched us some 
miles through the Woods to another house. They made 
the slaves lead us by a rope, and sing " corn songs."* 
It seemed as if the very forests themselves were moved 
at the bursts of such unearthly sounds — and if there 

* See page 18, for explanation. 



16 LED AWAY BY ROPES. 

were any wild beasts in the region, they must have fled 
for their lives, to their caverns, or dens, or more distant 
forests. When we came to the house, we were marched 
round it time and again ; and when we halted in front 
of the piazza, the old grand-father and mother, and chil- 
dren — old and young, male and female, came out in 
their night dresses to gaze upon the wonderful monsters. 
The old grandfather, tottering just on the verge of the 
grave, gave a little vent to his boiling soul, in the ex- 
clamation — " Ah ! you gallows-looking devils !" After 
their curiosity was somewhat gratified, we laid us down 
upon a feather bed, on the floor — all tied together — and 
slept sweetly till morning. We awoke refreshed and 
strengthened to endure the reproaches and sufferings 
which were before us, with patience, fortitude, and I 
trust submission. That morning a man came in to see 
us, who asked many questions, and made threats of 
shooting us on the spot. He was a professor of religion 
— seemed very much excited, and had hard struggles to 
keep from drawing his pistols on us, but " the good hand 
of our God upon us," saved us from his burning fury. 

At the breakfast table, we asked a blessing on our 
food, while the landlady and others stood by. She 
seemed almost horror struck, that such wretches as we 
should pray ! — for she looked upon us as monsters of 
iniquity. The poor woman seemed to have some idea 
of the numerical strength of the Abolitionists — for said 
she, u They are as thick down there in the bottoms, as 
maggots in a dead horse, watching for slaves." And so 
terrified was she at the thought, that she had not been 
able to sleep soundly for two weeks ! Poor woman ! 
Who can help pitying one who is obliged to live in 
such constant fear 1 

After breakfast, a crowd gathered round, who ques- 
tioned us in many things, and gave vent to their raging 
bosoms, in sneers and reproaches. We were then tied 
together, and led by the slaves (to mortify us) five miles, 
to Palmyra. The city was moved at our approach, many 
saying, " Who are these 1" " Well, you've made a fine 
haul," &c. In the court house, we had a mock trial 



THRUST INTO PRISON. 17 

before a magistrate and were "thrust into prison,'- to 
await the sitting of the court, two and a half months 
from that time. After they had left us, we knelt down, 
and committed ourselves to God, imploring his guidance 
and protection, feeling that He had wise purposes to ac- 
complish by this unintelligible dispensation. 

The following from Alanson to a brother in Quincy, 
will give further particulars. 

LETTER. 

Dear Brother: — I am a prisoner in a land, where to 
tell a man, made in the image of his Maker, that he has 
a right to freedom, is a crime of the deepest dye. James 
and I walked four or five miles back into the country. 
The first human being that we saw, was a woman and 
her son hoeing tobacco. James spoke to her, and I 
walked on. He found that she wanted to be free, and 
agreed to help her. We next came to a house ; James 
went in, and learned from a slave (the whites being 
absent), that the slaves he had seen before, were in the 
field alone. We went to them, it being now sunset. 
We asked them if they were going — they told us they 
were, and that one, living a mile from them, where they 
had some clothes to get, was going with them, and that 
they would come three hours after dark. We were seen 
by white men while with the slaves. After dark, we 
came and waited, anxiously listening for the signal. 
After some time we heard a distant whistle, and by an- 
swering repeatedly, soon came to five slaves — three or 
four miles from the river, on a bottom prairie. After 
salutations and professions, we started in a foot path for 
the river, rejoicing in the prospect of helping the op- 
pressed to liberty and happiness — when, suddenly three 
men arose from the high grass. The slaves having be- 
trayed us, now seized us, bound our hands, and marched 
us back in triumph to the first house. A company then 
started, and after two hours, returned with Brother 
George, — the slaves singing and shouting — making a 
song for the occasion. We were soon put on the march 



18 LETTER TO MRS. WORK. 

for the residence of one of the party, two or three miles 
distant — each of us being led by a slave — others follow- 
ing, weaving the past and present circumstances, with 
our future prospects, into a song, which they made to 
echo through the woods, to the great satisfaction of their 
masters and friends, who were on horseback. When 
we arrived at the house, we were marched around, and 
stared at as little less than Infernals. The language 
used, I will not attempt to describe. The next morning 
we were tied together, and taken on foot to Palmyra — 
being led by slaves, and escorted by fifteen horsemen. 
We w r ere taken to the court house, a warrant issued 
against us — witnesses examined, and we committed, for 
stealing slaves (!) We were not permitted to speak for 
ourselves, but were taken to Jail, and the doors closed 
upon us. Under these trying circumstances we looked 
up to Him, who came to preach " deliverance to the 
captives, and the opening of prison doors to them that 
are bound," and found the promise of God precious to 
our souls. 

Soon after dark, the Sheriff, Jailer, and others came 
in, and made us fast to a chain fifteen or sixteen feet 
long. One end of the chain was made fast to the wall. 
Near the other end, an iron was put through a link and 
riveted around my ankle. Brother Burr was placed 
about two feet from me, and George about two feet 
farther. 

To his wife, Alanson wrote : 
" My Dear Wife : — I write from Palmyra Jail. The 
wall is about four feet thick, made of two thicknesses 
of hewed logs with one foot of stone between them, and 
the outside brick. We feel that God is here. Send to 
us if you can. We have asked for a Bible, a Hymn 
Book, and paper. They reply, ' yes,' but do not. 
(Nearly a week elapsed, before we could get a Bible 
from any of them — at length an impenitent Lawyer 
brought us his.) Our enemies rejoice over us. Pray 
that we may be Christ-like. Be not troubled : the Lord 
will provide, and protect. Myself and companions sit 



EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS. 19 

on the floor. We have three or four (very poor) blankets 
for a bed. Our food is corn bread and bacon, which we 
eat with our fingers ; but we have meat to eat which 
they know not of — ; a contented mind is a continual 
feast.' I am not anxious about myself, but feel that 
' tribulation will work patience.' I feel that if you 
will trust in God, He will make ' all things work to- 
gether for your good' — and this affliction prove a bless- 
ing to you, and give an impulse to the cause of truth 
and mercy. We know not our destiny, but fear the 
worst, and trust we shall be prepared for it." 

On the same piece of paper I wrote : " Dear Brother 
Hunter, if we could see you and Mr. Warren, we should 
like it. It is evident they are determined to send us to 
Jefferson. Two men were sworn who testified falsely. 
Can you come % We rejoice in our chains. May the 
Lord direct." 

On the same I wrote to the church of which we were 
members. 

" Brethren and Sisters, you may think we repent the 
step w T e have taken. Not at all. We feel that we are 
in chains for Jesus' sake. The 2d, 3d, and 4th chap- 
ters of 1 Peter are very precious to us, as also the w r hole 
< Letter of our Father.' We feel that good will result 
from our being here — that our Master knows best what 
kind of a school we need. We can now sympathize 
with the slave as never before. We know how T the chain 
feels. But our trials are light-, compared w T ith his. 
Pray for us. Our only hope is in God. Pray in faith — 
God will hear. 

u Yours in bonds, 

61 George." 

About the same time (July 15), I wrote to M. C, "I 
am now separated from you very unexpected!) — but 
however the case may turn, I know the c Judge of all 
the earth will do right' — and that < all things shall 
w r ork together for good to them who love God.' You 
may think that I am unhappy. By no means. I am 
happy in my Savior." 



20 CONFIDENCE IN GOD. 

July 19. I wrote to the same : — " It seems very 
strange for me to date a letter to you from Prison. Yet 
so it is. Did you ever imagine such a thing 1 I had 
thought of trials and persecutions when we should be 
far among the heathen, and had imagined the thing 
possible, that I might be cast into prison in Illinois, ' for 
conscience toward God,' but such a circumstance as this 
I now realize, I had not thought much about. Yet be 
assured, I am happy in my Savior. I have an unshaken 
confidence that this shall turn out for my good, for 
yours, and for the good of Christ's cause. With this 
confidence can I be troubled or uneasy'? ' Be careful 
for nothing ; but in everything, by prayer and supplica- 
tion with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known 
unto God, and the peace of God, which passeth all un- 
derstanding, shall keep your hearts and minds, through 
Christ Jesus.' — Phil. iv. 6, 7. This is very sweet. 
My Bible is more than ever precious. Pray for my 
mother, that this may be sanctified to her present and 
eternal good. Try and make the same profitable im- 
provement of it yourself. Don't be over-anxious. Roll 
the care upon Jesus, and there let us leave it. Exercise 
an unwavering confidence in his providence. Our 
kind Father has wise reasons for putting me here ; and 
4 what thou knowestnotnow thou shalt know hereafter.' 
We should be willing to be in just that school that He 
sees we need. I hope I am willing. Pray that I may 
learn thoroughly and faithfully the lesson He intends I 
shall learn. When I have learned my lesson well, then 
I know He will take me out. And should I desire to 
leave school before I get my lesson? Oh no. I do de- 
sire that discipline and instruction which will best qua- 
lify me for the greatest usefulness. 

" Yours, in chains and gospel bonds, 

" George." 



JOURNAL — GREAT PEACE. 21 



CHAPTER II. 

EXTRACTS FROM ALANSON's JOURNAL. 

July 14-17. Visited often by the sheriff and many 
others, but still without the means of communicating 
with our friends. Had many anxious thoughts about my 
family, from whom I can hear nothing. 

18. Sunday, Our prison was the u house of God and 
the gate of heaven" to our souls. In the forenoon 
George talked to our companions (two colored and one 
white man) about the prodigal son. In the afternoon he 
spoke on the Judgment day. Jesus was with us, and 
fed us with the bread of heaven. To me it was the most 
precious Sabbath I have enjoyed for many months. 

19. Feel willing to go to the penitentiary or wherever 
the Lord wills. This afternoon Esq. Warren and 
Brother Hunter came in to see us. (The first we had 
seen or heard of any of our friends since leaving home.) 
We were happy before, but our happiness was increased 
on seeing them, and learning the sympathy in our behalf. 

The goodness of God and the kindness of friends 
broke my heart. We received books and paper. (We 
had received from the jailer in the forenoon one sheet of 
paper for us all, on which I was writing a joint letter to 
the Church, which was, at the time, published exten- 
sively — but now I have it not. This letter the jailer 
gave to Brother H., without showing it to the sheriff; 
but its being published, and the consequent excitement 
being so great, we could not, after that, get any more 
letters to or from our friends through the sheriff.) After 
consultation they went out to see what could be done for 
us. In the evening we attended prayers as usual. As 
we closed, C. I. (the free black), of his own accord, 
b-oke out in prayer. 

20. Have been here a week to-da}-. Brother H. and 



22 JOURNAL MONTHLY CONCERT. 

Esq. W. came in, consulted about employing other 
counsel, and, much to our comfort, brought us a table 
and chairs. Had with them a precious season of 
prayer. 

21. No visitors to-day. The horse-thief is an un- 
pleasant companion. The truth does not reach his 
heart. I find the night season the most precious to my 
soul. When all are still, I have sweet communion with 
Him who heareth the sighing of the prisoner. 

22. Found great satisfaction in reading the lives of 
Bunyan and other men, who suffered for well-doing. 

23. Feel the want of exercise and pure air. The 
horse-thief held a conversation with a stranger outside, 
the most abominable and profane, which makes it very 
unpleasant. O ! "gather not my soul with sinners, nor 
my life with bloody men." 

25. Sabbath. Brother George described heaven and 
hell, and pressed on our impenitent companions the 
question, whether they would leave their sins and go to 
heaven, or have them and go to hell. 

26. The Lord hears prayer; blessed be his name. 
My chain feels light this morning. O ! let me not trust 
in 'man. Last evening being monthly concert for the 
oppressed, we remembered those in bonds, as bound with 
them. After lying down to rest, and while thinking of 
those bound in more galling chains than ours, we over- 
heard a conversation, by which we learned that six 
slaves had crossed the Mississippi, the night before, and 
that some persons were preparing to go to the river to 
intercept other fugitives. Gladly will I wear this chain 
till it galls my ankle to the bone, if thereby the slave 
may go free. (We all felt so and rejoiced.) 

27. We are not disturbed with company. Spend 
our time in reading, writing, meditation, and prayer. 

28. Health good. Peace of conscience and the pre- 
sence of my Savior. Our prison is a pleasant place, 
althouo-h we are surrounded by that which is filthy and 
abominable. 

31. Have seen none of our friends to-day, as we ex- 
pected. Our companions now stand talking with some 



JOURNAL ELECTION DAY. 23 

children in the street. The conversation is the most 
filthy imaginable. Slavery seems to have corrupted the 
very buds of society. It would be pleasant to be alone. 
This evening we prayed that if we could do John (the 
horse-thief) no good, we might be rid of his company. 
Just, after, the jailer came in and said that the sheriff 
was going to take him away in the morning. 

Aug. 1. Sabbath. When the officers came in for 
John, numbers came in to gape upon us. They staid 
some time, and we were obliged to hear their revilings, 
oaths, and filthy conversation. When they were gone, 
we hoped to have a still, pleasant, and profitable Sab- 
bath. We were disappointed. The room overhead was 
occupied, most of the day, by a vile woman, and two 
more than vile would-be gentlemen ; yet the Lord was 
our " sun and shield." George spoke on Ps. lxxxiv. 
The tabernacle of God appears more lovely, because we 
cannot enter therein. In the afternoon he spoke from 
Is. i. 3. Showed the great goodness of God in reason- 
ing with men, and our guilt in not knowing and consi- 
dering. Surely the Lord has placed us here that we may 
consider. 

2. Election day. Numbers came to the window. 
The colored men conversed with them through the grates, 
which was very unpleasant. I sometimes imagine we 
are confined on the brink of the pit and hear the sounds 
that come therefrom. ! how lovely do holiness and 
heavenly purity appear, w T hen contrasted with the abo- 
minable, unholy, and filthy scenes that surround us. 

3. Felt strengthened by the promise that " as my 
day is so my strength shall be." 

5. Had the privilege of seeing my wife and Edwin 
Lovejoy.* There were numbers at the door, by whom 
we learned the hatred and excitement against us. 
Though we are in the lion's mouth we find honey in the 
carcase. " Who shall harm us if we be followers of 
that which is good 1" 

7. Have not been well for the three past days. 

8. Sabbath. In the afternoon there was a company 

* A little son nbout four years old. 



24 TREATED WORSE THAN MURDERERS. 

playing cards over our heads, who mocked at and reviled 
the worship of God. " Father, forgive them." 

9. An unpleasant day : felt gloomy ; but in the even- 
ing the love of God filled my heart. The guard take 
delight in making a noise. They thump and dance over 
our heads, mocking and deriding our worship. .We 
pity, and pray for them — a they know not what they 
do." Saw Mr. Craig, from Quincy, at the jailer's door. 
He went from there to the sheriff's but was not per- 
mitted to see us. I feel that this is the very school I 
need ; and though I sometimes tremble at the danger 
that surrounds me, yet the promises of God give me 
strength and peace. 

10. Last night, a Mr. Berry was confined here on 
the alleged crime of murder, committed in Kentucky, 
last November. 

11. Mr. Berry obtained bail and left us. He is a 
slave-holder. I tried to make him acquainted with the 
principles of abolitionists, the rights of man, and the 
claims of God. He could not gainsay the truth. 

" Let this fact be well considered. A man committed 
for the crime of murder , is allowed the privilege of bail 
within twenty-four hours of his confinement. And 
while he was in jail, his friends had free access to him ! 
besides, he was not considered sufficiently guilty to de- 
serve a chain ! — while our three brethren, whose offence 
consisted in offering aid to a few wretched slaves in 
attempting to escape from their degrading vassalage, 
were treated with all manner of insult and scorn — made 
fast to the prison wall with a very heavy chain riveted 
about the ankle — guarded by an armed force during the 
whole time of their confinement there — kept on the 
coarsest fare — denied the privilege of seeing or corre- 
sponding with their friends (except Mrs. Work and 
children), — and not allowed the privilege of seeing 
ministers of the gospel from Illinois, who called for the 
purpose — neither allowed to have bail ! ! The offer was, 
indeed, made to accept of $6,000, advanced in cash, as 
bail for them; but we were assured that no individual 
or any number of individuals out of the state, would be 



LOOKING AT DEATH. 25 

accepted in such a case. And to find any in Missouri, 
that would become thus responsible, was out of the 
question.'' — Quincy Committee. 

12. I feel that the sheriff is cruel in keeping the 
letters of my wife and children from me, as some of 
them contain nothing but family affairs : but I will not 
murmur. 

13. My body fails from confinement. 

14. Find peace and strength in prayer — feel my 
" inward man renewed." Then let this body fail and 
die — " this corruption shall put on incorruption, and this 
mortal immortality." 

15. Sabbath. George spoke on the subject of faith, 
from the circumstance of Elisha and his servant seeing 
the mountain full of chariots and horses of fire. Surely 
a they that be with us are more than they that be with 
them." 

17. Saw Brothers Van Doorne and Record, at the 
jailor's. As they were starting for home (Quincy), we 
hailed them. They stopped in the middle of the street 
— said they were not permitted to speak with us — that 
our friends w r ere well and thought much of us. They 
brought us fruit and sundry comforts. 

The patrols stand in the different streets at night ; 
each armed with pistols, a club and cow hide. If a 
white man passes he is hailed ; if a negro, his " pass" 
is demanded. If he has none, no excuse w T ill answer ; 
his shirt must come off and the cow-hide be applied to 
his back ! 

20. Have been unwell. Looked at death. It does 
not appear dreadful, though I am so great a sinner. I 
love the Savior, his law r and service ; and though I feel 
he would prepare me a mansion on high, I would be 
glad to live to train up my children, and to help the 
slave ; but " thy will, Lord, be done," for which pre- 
pare me and my family. 

23. Last night, heard the guard say — u Since the 

d — d rascals have been here, more niggers have run 

away than ever before." They mentioned several, for 

whom $50 and $100 reward was offered. It makes our 

2 



26 IN PRISON WHY? 

chain light to think that those of others are broken. 
We believe that our being here will spread the know- 
ledge that there is a road to liberty. Yes, yes, bless 
the Lord ! 

S. S. Glover, at our request, came in to see us, and 
spoke respectfully (o us. This is the first Missourian, 
the blacks excepted, that has done so. 

The foregoing is all of Alanson's journal that I have 
been able to obtain. It will show of what spirit he was, 
and how he bore his imprisonment. He continued his 
journal till the day of trial, breathing the same spirit. 
Nothing could be found in it but pity towards the op- 
pressor and oppressed. 



CHAPTER III. 

POETRY, JOURNAL, ETC. 

Among other letters, I received one from a sister, asking 
me the question, why I was in prison'? — which I answered 
in the following manner : — 

I. 

" In prison ! ah ! why is this, my brother dear? 
I was amazed and shocked, such news to hear. 
What hast thou done ? — thy Savior disobeyed 1 
That thou art thus in chains and prison Jaid V 1 

II. 
Hark, sister, while to thee the cause I tell, \ 
Why I was bound, and why now in this cell — 
Why witnesses who're false are 'gainst me sworn, 
And cruel men with rage and malice burn. 

III. 
A man by thieves was met upon his way — 
Robbed, bruised, and weltering in his gore he lay — 
And sad indeed the state this man was in ; 
No one to help or take him to an inn. 

IV. 
A Levite passing where the sufferer lay, 
Stopped not to pity — hastened on his way. 
A priest along the same way chanced to go, 
He looked, but left the sufferer to his wo. 



IN PRISON WHY'? 27 

V. 

At length one came, who on him looked and Jell, 
Poured oil and wine, as by his side he knelt : 
On his own beast he placed the man, relieved ; 
Conveyed him to an inn, nor pay received. 

VI. 
u Go, do thou likewise," saith my glorious King, 
" Relieve the poor, and out of trouble bring — * 
Where'er thou find him, lend a helping hand, 
And aid him on his way to freedom's land." 

vir. 

In deep distress a poor man thus I found, 

And offered freely to do up his wound ; 

The priest and Levite scorned and passed him by — 

The neighbors heeded not his mournfal cry. 

VIII. 
Knocked down, and robbed of all, he long had lain, 
By cruel men oppressed and almost slain. 
With torturing stripes his back was deeply gashed, 
Which oft, through spite and malice, had been lashed, 

IX. 
Thus groaning, weltering, and despised by man, 
I heard him loudly call, " Help, if you can ; 
To be delivered from this state I long, 
And placed where I may sing sweet freedom's song." 

X. 
1 listened while he told his tale of grief, 
And longed to find some way for his relief, 
My heart with tender sympathy was moved, 
And my poor neighbor, as myself I loved. 

XI. 
I tried to comfort him, and poured in oil — 
I told him of Victoria's happy soil — 
" I'd like to go," said he, " but here I'm bound, 
How can I reach that distant, happy ground?" 

XII. 
" I'll gladly help you neighbor on your way — 
We'll carry you by night, and hide by day." 
"O! this is good ! 'tis good ! 'tis good .'" he cried, 
" I'll go with you, and with you safely ride." 

XIII. 

While thus engaged a dreadful voice 1 heard 
Which threatened [death, if from the place I stirred I 
Amazed was I — my hands were quickly tied, 
While hardened robbers stood on either side ! ! 

XIV. 
Followed by fiendish spirits, black and white, 
With hellish rage they vented out their spite — 
While hundreds jound us rushed, to gaze and rail, 
They thrust, and locked me fast within this Jail ! 



28 OF ONE HEART AND MIND. 

XV. 

Such, Sister, is the cause why I am here — 
Such, why my voice you can no longer hear. 
Did I in this do wrong 1 or sin commit, 
Because I wished this man to benefit ? 

XVI. 

My blessed Savior did I disobey, 

When from this man, I crossed not o'er the way t 

Because I tried the sufFrer to relieve, 

Did I, by doing this, the Spirit grieve 1 

XVII. 

Ah, no — the Dove is still within my breast, 
And 'midst the raging tempest gives me rest. 
The Savior smiles, and all within is peace. — 
The storm and tumult, He will cause to cease. 

XVIII. 
" Fear not," He says to me — " keep courage good ; 
I will be with thee through the fire and flood ; 
You shall not want — I'll be to you a Friend, 
And all that's needful, I will surely send !" 

XIX. 

Blest Savior, in thy word I will confide, 
And 'neath the shadow of thy wing abide. 
Now let the tempests howl, and hell engage ; 
Secure and safe am I from all their rage. 

XX. 
Come life or death — come sorrow, care, or pain — 
In him I'll trust, and glory in his name. 
" All things shall work together for the best;" 
And soon I'll with my glorious Jesus rest. 
Palmyra Jail, 1841. 

Some extracts from my journal will give further par- 
ticulars, and show my feelings at that time better than I 
can now express. 

My journal, for the first month and a half is lost — as 
also all of James's — but the extracts given from Alan- 
son's may be considered as expressing the feelings of 
each of us. We had but one mind in attempting to aid 
the slave, and after we were bound among strangers, 
and in an enemy's land, we felt but one interest. We 
all rejoiced in our sufferings — each sympathized with the 
other, our hearts beat in sweet unison, and all were 
willing to go to the Penitentiary, or die, if need be, for 
the deliverance of the oppressed. At home or abroad, 
in prison or at liberty, living or dying, we felt but one 



ODD S LAW NULL AND VOID. 29 

desire, and were aiming at but one object — the good of 
our fellow-men, and the glory of God. 

We had been in jail but a day or two, when one of 
the Guard came to the grates one night, and wished us 
to sing for them a song they heard us sing once ; it was 

" Awake my soul, in joyful lays, 
And sing the great Redeemer's praise," &c. 

It was new to them. And we were reminded of the 
Jews in Babylon, whose enemies, said, " Sing us one of 
the songs of Zion." But blessed be God, that we were 
not obliged to " hang our harps upon the willows," — 
that we could, with joyful hearts, " sing the Lord's 
song," " though in a strange land." 

July 18. Sabbath. In the morning a crowd came in 
to gaze upon, taunt, and try us. In my chains, w T ith 
Testament in hand, I stood before them and preached, 
plainly and boldly, deliverance to the oppressed — hold- 
ing before them the Savior in bondage, bought and sold, 
whipped and abused, in the person of his " little ones," 
— the slaves — making appeals to their consciences, &c. 
One of them, their chief speaker (who will hereafter 
speak for himself), tried to form some pleas for slavery, 
but they were dams of quicksand. 

When we spoke of our trust in God, they sneered at 
the idea of such rascals trusting in Him. When we 
appealed to his law, for our rule — they said, " You better 
just let that alone, if you know what is good for you. 
God's law is not the standard here in Missouri. We 
have laws of our own. You better study them !" When 
we told them, " the eyes of the Lord are upon them that 
fear Him, and his ears are open to their cry," they 
replied, "What had God to do in the matter? What 
does He care for you ? You better trust in the laws of 
Missouri," &c. 

I am glad they are so honest as to own, what we have 
believed, and are now more firmly convinced of, that the 
law of God, in slave states, is null and void — a dead 
letter. Slavery tramples the Bible in the mire, nor heeds 
in the least its warning voice ! 



30 MERCIES FRIENDS A RABBLE. 

When Brethren Hunter and Warren came over to see 
us the first time, they brought us such books as they 
thought would be suited to our condition — such as the 
Book of Martyrs, Village Hymns, Greek Testament, 
Piio-rim's Progress, some Memoirs, Henry and Scott's 
Commentaries, Christian Lyre, Manhattan Collection, 
&c, &c. So that we had plenty of reading and music. 
Considerable of our time was spent in tuning our hearts 
and voices in praise. At morning, noon, and night, we 
thus poured out our souls before the Lord. 

Our singing, and happy contentment in our prison- 
house, much annoyed the consciences of the inhabitants 
of Palmyra. They said, " They are the strangest pris- 
oners we ever had here : " " We never saw such men 
before : " " Hark, the rebels are singing," &c. But 
none of these things moved us. Though at times the 
guard would order us to stop our singing, try to mock or 
frighten us, as " servants of the most high God," we 
felt that we were bound to praise his name in every place. 

July 24. A load came from Mission Institute. 
Brethren Griswold, Kirkland, and Seymour, Mrs. Sey- 
mour, and M. C, also Mrs. Work. None but Mrs. W. 
were allowed to look at us. We could see them walk 
the street, but could not speak a word to them. This 
was trying, but the Lord is good and kind in it all. 
They brought us many little comforts, which we were 
allowed to have, — straw bed, bedding, &c. After a 
long time, Mrs. W. was allowed to come in, with the 
sheriff, jailer, and others. She fell prostrate at her hus- 
band's feet, and wept excessively, for some time. At 
length, becoming more composed, she talked and prayed 
with us. She begged the sheriff to take off the chain 
— but no. She asked that they would keep her, and let 
her husband go home, — no, no ! The scene was affect- 
ing. We tried to comfort her, directing her to ct trust 
in the Lord," and all would be well. Lord, be with 
and support her. 

While they were here, a rabble gathered round, and 
acted like heathen. Poor, deluded, miserable men ! 
O, Jesus, sanctify this event to us and to them. — My 



A RABBLE— VISITED BY FRIENDS. 31 

faith is tried. My heart is sick, at seeing the depravity 
of man. Had I now no Savior, what could I do? No 
promises, where could I go? These disappointments 
are for my good. O, that I may have no will of my own. 
Brother G. demanded admittance to us, as our counsel, 
but was denied. 

26. Last night there was a rabble around the jail 
nearly all night, carousing, and thirsting for our blood. 
Night gatherings around the jail are frequent. 

27. Last night, great excitement about twelve run- 
away slaves. Some went in pursuit of them. May the 
Lord direct and protect the " outcasts." 

28. O, the degradation of man ! How sweet is the 
word of God ! Bright and very excellent does religion 
appear, when I witness the conduct of those who profess 
it not. May we ever exhibit the true spirit of Jesus. 

I should write more if I could get paper. My jour- 
nal I write on old scraps, and keep it in my watch 
pocket. " It is all for the best." 

31. Time passes very pleasantly. 

Aug. 1. This morning a company came, gazed, 
talked, mocked, sneered. " This," said one, " is a 
Gospel ship." Honorable appellation ! Ps. lxxxi. 
and lxxxiv. have afforded great comfort to us. Ps. xci. 
has been a rich feast. What ! Angels keepers ? Yes. 
0, precious — delectable — sweet ! Of this fountain the 
ungodly cannot drink. 

5. Mr. Warren, and Mrs. Work, and Aunt Terrel 
called to see us. Mrs. W. was admitted. Aunt T. 
stool at the door, wept, and begged to see us, but could 
not. This is strange. Their hearts are made of steel 
— surely they cannot be flesh. Esq. W. demanded ad- 
mittance as our counsel, but was denied ! They came 
near mobbing him. Poor deluded creatures, they act 
more like fiends than men ! 

6. To M — . " I am glad you can trust me and 
yourself in God's hands. I am happy in lying there. 
His promises are as a rock, and strong consolation to 
my soul, -i can see no reason for feeling uneasy or be- 
ing troubled. I know my Father will do just right. 



32 LETTER TO A FRIEND. 

We shall one day see it, and thank him for this provi- 
dence ; then let us rejoice now." 

8. The excitement runs high. We are a wonder to 
them. God will " cause the wrath of man to praise 
him." Glory to Jesus ! I find the Book of Martyrs 
very interesting and profitable. I am in a palace com- 
pared with the condition of the ancient Christians. 
Compared with them I do not suffer at all. 

Sweet Sabbath ! 

9. Happy to-day. Time passes pleasantly. Said 
Latimer to Ridley, as they were bound to the stake, 
" We shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, 
in England, as I trust, shall never be put out." God 
grant a candle may be lighted in this prison, that 
shall not cease to burn, till slavery shall come to an end. 
Although we are so small, insignificant, and unworthy, 
yet I have no doubt God will kindle a fire, that will burn 
and spread, not only through this region and state, but 
through the United States, and that will hasten the de- 
liverance of the oppressed and the conversion of the 
world. O ! how unworthy am I to be the brand that 
shall be burned to cause this light ! 

Dear Lord, " do with me as seemeth thee good." 
Let this body be tortured and killed, only spread thy 
truth and glorify thy blessed name. But leave me not 
to my own strength. Stand by me : support, and com- 
fort me. We are unworthy to lie here. We do not 
deserve the honor ; but my God can use feeble means, 
and kindle the flame. Glory to his name ! 

LETTER TO A FRIEND. 

Palmyra Prison, August 9, 1841. 

" M. 1 feel as if I wanted to express my feelings 

to you, that you may know what is the state of my mind, 
and how to pray for me ; and I request, that before you 
read any further, you will retire and pray, that your 
mind and heart may be in a proper frame to receive and 
profit by what I am about to say. Lest you may feel that 
I am disturbed in my mind, you may be assured that it 



FEELINGS OF THE MOB. 33 

is fixed on God. He is my stay. I feel a sweet peace 
within, and an assurance that lie will do just right. 

" To-day I have heard more of the feelings of the 
people here, than I have since I came. It is amazing 
what passions can dwell in the human heart. 

" Brethren Brown and Turner came here about noon, 
and we talked with them through the grates. A crowd 
immediately gathered round, with savage wildness and 
hellish madness depicted in their countenances. They 
looked upon Brethren B. and T. with a fiendish, blood- 
thirsty eye, as they talked to us through the grates. 
When Brother B. asked, " Are you so filled with grief 
that you cannot eat your bread 1" and I promptly an- 
swered, " No, we are happy ;" they were cut to the 
heart, and could scarcely refrain from gnashing on B. 
and T. with their teeth. Brother B. remarked, " We 
are all praying for you, and sympathize with you, and 
believe God will overrule it for great good ;" which stir- 
red their rage very much. Brother T. asked James, 
how he felt about a " certain subject" which they had 
often talked over. James replied, " The same as usual." 
Fuel was only added to the flame. 

" As soon as the brethren left us to get their wagon, 
they then gave vent to their spite and enmity, still 
standing under the window, where we could hear. They 
were running-over full. One man made a flaming 
speech about our feeling so happy, when we had com- 
mitted such an awful crime ! — believed we lied — said 
we must have hard consciences, &c. Others, " They 
are. sure to go to Jefferson." Others, " If they are not 
sentenced for twenty years, they will be hung here. The 
people will not be satisfied with anything less." Oth- 
ers, twenty-five years. Others thought the people 
would be contented with a sentence of twenty years. 
Others, " It will need 100 men to take them to Jeffer- 
son," &c. 

" When Brethren B. and T. came back, and left the 
things, they again began to gather, but they drove oft 
before all came. One cried out, " You need not come 
2* 



34 GOD WILL DO WHAT IS BEST. 

with that blacking, for they have gone." They theij 
talked of pursuing them. But I think they did not. 

u Such is a sketch of what I have seen and heard 
to-day. It drove me to my Bible to search for promises, 
and with them to the mercy seat. For a few moments 
my mind was a little agitated, but reflection, prayer, 
and the promises, calmed the tumult, of my thoughts, 
aud brought sweet peace and consolation. I w T as ena- 
bled to roll my burden upon the Lord, and feel that He 
would sustain me, and grant me all needed grace. 

''- 1 feel that we are in the hands of God, and that He 
will do with us just as shall be for our best good, the 
good of the slave and the world. I don't know 
but we may be called to suffer (we have not yet suf- 
fered any), and perhaps to die for the slave, and for the 
truth of our Lord. I know that our Father can preserve 
and deliver us ; and will, if that will most glorify his 
name (and I don't w r ish him to do it unless his cause 
will be more advanced by my life than by my death). Many 
holy men and women have been long imprisoned, and 
killed in many ways, for the name of Jesus, who, to hu- 
man appearance, were much needed in the church, and 
who promised fair to do much good ; but God saw that 
their sufferings and death would do more for his glory 
than their lives, and suffered wicked men to vent their 
fury upon them. He could have preserved them. 
Lovejoy's death probably did more good than he could 
have done by his life. I have expected that there must 
be more sacrifices upon the altar of slavery, before it 
would come to an end, and if God sees fit to select one, 
so unworthy of the honor as myself, to suffer or die in 
this cause, I say, Amen. 

" George." 

James, writing to Brother Turner respecting the same 
adds, " One said, < It was a violation of the laws of God 
and man, as sure as there is a God' — that is our act. 
Another, ' I have concluded to hang them.' Another, 
4 1 have determined to have them whipped,' and with 
many similar imprecations did they curse us. When 



JOURNAL, FAITH A SLAVE. 35 

they heard what Brother B. said, they were cut to the 
heart ; and when they saw you were gone, they were 
ready to gnash on us with their teeth. But as the natu- 
ral heart is opposed to God, of course it is to all good. 
Nothing enrages them so much as to hear of our peace 
and comfort. But our hope is in God. Ps. vii., xviii., 
xxii., and xlvi. Isaiah xli. 10 — 19. God's word, dear 
brother, appears more and more precious every day. 

" When we were first taken into the jail, the jailer 
said to us, ' This is your house.' " We then dedicated 
it to God, for the time we should occupy it. 

a We have good times on the Sabbath. I feel that 
God is giving us severe lessons to learn, but blessed be 
his name, it is good to be taught of Him." 

Aug. 14. The king of Syria was an enemy to Israel, 
and to God's people. He sent an army to take Elisha. 
When Elisha's servant arose in the morning, he saw the 
city surrounded, and was filled with fear. Forgetting 
Elisha's God, he cried, " Alas, my master, how shall 
we do V 9 He saw no way of escape. He had no faith, 
and consequently could not see. But what was the re- 
ply of one who had faith in God ? " Fear not, for they 
that be with us are more than, they that be with them." 
This was like a Christian. With the enemy were horses, 
and chariots, and a host ; but with Elisha, the Almighty 
God, the angels, and the hosts of heaven. Why then 
should he fear? What could man do unto him? 
Lord, increase my faith. 

. Mr. Creathe, a Campbellite preacher in Lewis Co., 
Mo., is here preaching. Albert says he has a slave, 
through whose ear he has cut a hole, where he takes 
hold when he whips him !! — says he has seen the hole 
himself. How far is slavery behind the Inquisition 1 

In conversation with our jailer, he remarked, " It is 
no place here for a poor man ; he can't get along." No ; 
slavery crushes him. 

16. A few nights since, a woman of vile character 
spent most of the night with the guard overhead. The 
next day I wrote a letter to the sheriff, informing him 



36 A VILE WOMAN. 

that it was very unpleasant living so near a brothel, ana 
requested its removal. He gave the letter to the guard. 
We overheard them read it, and say, " Now this thing 
is known and she must leave the place," &c. Last 
night, Esq. Wilson, captain of the guard, came in with 
others, and showed out some of his spite about it. He 
had his iron rod in his hand and seemed much agitated 
and enraged against me. u Well, is that brothel re- 
moved yet?" said he. He evidently came to give us 
a severe flogging, but dare not here in the jail. He is 
much troubled. 

Mr. Bess, the jailer, says they sent her away from 
town soon after. So it seems the letter was not in vain. 

PATROLLERS. 

David foresaw and described them more than two thou- 
sand years ago, in Ps. lix. 6, 7, and they now answer 
the description. In the 8th verse he pronounced their 
sentence. They are very despicable characters. 

The slaves here on the Sabbath, dress like gentlemen, 
They get their clothes by extra work, done on the Sab- 
bath and in the night, and yet " they can't take care of 
themselves !" Shame on those who hide under this 
leaf. 

17. The Lord is my comfort. Is. li. 12, 13. Dost 
thou, dear Lord, ask " who I am ?" I am but dust — a 
feeble w T orm — yet leave me not to fear my fellow worms, 
who are also weak and shall die ; nor to " forget thee," 
the Lord my Maker, though " the fury of the oppressor" 
is great, and he seems " ready to destroy." 

The Christian should not live in slavery, but walk at 
liberty. 

BLASPHEMY. 

Last night, one ot the guard, talking about our first 
letter that was published, said, "It is blasphemy and 
sacrilege for thieves to write such a letter !" 

This letter was an affectionate outpouring of our souls 



THE CHURCH IN SLAVE STATES. 37 

to those whom we dearly loved in the Lord, and with 
whom we had long "taken sweet counsel;" expressive 
of our happiness, contentment, submission, faith — ask- 
ing their prayers, urging them to duty, &c. 

Reader ; you see how enlightened the inhabitants of 
slave states are, and what clear views of sin and virtue, 
reverence and blasphemy, they have ! ! if you have 
any pity in your heart, let it move for such pitiable ob- 
jects. 

" Mr. Moore, the rumseller, is nearly as great a nui- 
sance as John was. Charles and Albert seem worse 
than ever, and to be hardening fast. Dear Savior, pre- 
serve our souls safe from their polluting influence. 
Teach us how to speak and act before them. 

Aug. 20. Our circumstances are such as try our souls, 
and make us feel the preciousness of religious society. 
There is so much obscene talk — so many foolish songs 
— and so much trifling nonsense, that, much of the time, 
we can read with but little satisfaction ; and it is often 
difficult to fix our minds so as to pray with an undivided 
heart. For two nights past I have had precious seasons, 
in the silent watches, when all was still, and nothing to 
disturb. With the poet I can say, 

" 'Tis sweet conversing on my bed, 
With my own heart and Thee." 

Why should I feel anxious about my friends 1 Does 
not my kind Father sit on the throne ? Am I not in his 
his hands'? Will He not do right? Does he not 
know what I need, better than myself? Then for me 
to murmur, is great folly and aggravated unbelief. He 
has always done me good ; and frequently I have had 
occasion to thank Him for providences, which at the 
time looked dark, and I could not understand, and I will 
trust Him now. 

THE CHURCH IN SLAVE STATES. 

Aug. 21. In slave states, especially, Zion is almost 
dead — but little signs of life left. 



38 



MORE FUGITIVES. 



Slavery eats out the very vitals. It causes and nour- 
ishes pride, laziness, haughtiness, cruelty, oppression, de- 
ceit, fraud, theft, lying, Sabbath-breaking, drunkenness, 
adultery, fornication, and all uncleanness, murder, and 
everything that is hateful and abominable in the sight of 
God ! It disregards all his laws — tramples them under 
foot — sunders, and as it were, annihilates, the principles 
of the Gospel ; and how can a church, with such a 
monster in its bosom, grow in the grace of God 1 Until 
slavery dies, there can await the slaveholding church 
naught but leanness and death. Already is error and 
delusion sweeping through the land like a mighty flood. 
O Lord, how long ? How wonderful, wonderful, that 
God has borne so long ! Surely he hath showed us what 
is good — " to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk hum- 
bly with God." But where is this to be found in the 
slave states? Certainly not in Missouri — not in Palmyra. 

22. How delightful the Sabbath morning ! How my 
soul would leap for joy to meet with the saints 
in the sanctuary? But this is denied me! Is the 
Savior ashamed of our habitation, or our chains ? Glory 
to God! — no ! He will come even here and bless us, 
though man may curse and reproach, and many who 
profess to love Him, be ashamed to be seen communing 
with us. 

Have taken comfort in reading my father's letter. 
This morning Alanson talked to us from Isaiah lv. 6 ; 
very good : I did not know that he could preach so well. 
In the afternoon, I talked from Micah vi. 2, 3, 8. Card 
playing overhead, and much noise. 

23. Morning. The leaven is working — the flame is 
rising — the fire is spreading! May the Lord fan the 
flame. Last week we learned, by overhearing the guard, 
that the people here are much troubled on account of 
their slaves. Since we have been here, light has gone 
abroad, and some sparks have found their way into the 
minds of the slaves, who are beginning to walk in the 
light thereof towards the river. Said Esq. Wilson, 
u Since these d— d rascals have been put here, the slaves 



MORE FUGITIVES, 39 

are going off faster and faster ; [good, good — go it my 
good fellows! ] and there are multitudes of other rascals, 
just like them, on the other side, ready to help the run- 
aways along." Yes, yes, Mr. \V., and they are multiply- 
ing u faster and faster," too. May the Lord protect and 
carry them through. Shall we murmur that we are cast 
here 1 Are we not willing to suffer for the slaves, and 
thereby for our master 1 If the leaven begins to work so 
soon, shall we not rejoice? Yea, Lord, carry on thine 
own work, in thine own way. 

If the Palmyrians think to wreak their spite on all 
the u rascals" who are like us, on the other side, they 
will have a long work before them. Let them rage, and 
foam, and vent out hell's fume — let them imprison, 
revile, and menace, but let them know also, that the 
more they stir up fire-brands, the brighter and fiercer 
will they burn — the more they attempt to extinguish the 
flame, the hotter will it flash in their faces — the more 
rapidly spread and consume their two-legged property ! 
Let them go on then. They are but spreading snares 
for their own feet — preparing shame to cover their own 
faces — using means to defeat their own purposes, and 
pull down what they wish to build up. Work away — 
work hard ! 

Before breakfast, Mr. Glover came in. He appeared 
the most friendly and gentlemanly of any one that has 
been here (our friends excepted), since we came. "He 
spoke like a friend — said the sheriff's conduct was alto- 
gether unjustifiable — he had no right so to do — that 
prisoners, may, by law, have paper, &c. The sheriff 
came in a moment, but could not look us in the face, nor 
did we have time to speak with him at all. I expect he 
has what Bunyan calls the gripes. 

Evening. I know not how to express my feelings, 
nor in what words to frame my thanks to God, for what 
I have seen, heard, and felt to-day. My heart is full to 
overflowing. Bless the Lord for his goodness. My 
soul exults in Him who orders all things aright, and for 
his own glory. His kind hand is very plain, his direct- 
ing providence quite manifest. 



40 MORE FUGITIVES. 

The journal description is so lengthy, I cannot copy. 
A load of our friends came to see us (nine in number), 
bringing us many comforts, fruit, cakes, pies, bread, 
clothes, letters, &c. None but Mrs. W. and her child- 
ren, were allowed to come in, and they were strictly 
forbidden to say anything to the father, or he to his 
family, except in a manner that all could hear ! This 
was truly astonishing, and shows the heart-hardening 
and conscience-searing effects of slavery. They 
seemed perfectly steeled, and past feeling. 

With the other friends we conversed through the 
grates, with great satisfaction, passing letters to and from 
each other, while we shook hands through the iron bars. 
In this way the most of our writings had to be sent out. 
The brethren and sisters seemed very cheerful and hap- 
py. Said one (now my wife), " I come not to weep, but 
to rejoice with you." And we did rejoice to see them 
so submissive under the affliction. It seemed to do our 
friends much good, thus to have an opportunity to see 
and speak with us, though iron grates intervened. 

Among other letters, I received one from my brother 
in Ohio, written to Brother Hunter. He said, a Tell 
George I am not c ashamed of his chain,' nor to call him 
a brother, in any sense of the word." It was reviving. 
Two of our letters were rolled in a cloth, and baked in 
the centre of a loaf of cake, so that when we opened 
the cake, our letters were safe and legible. Such cakes 
we valued very highly. They were rich food — very 
nourishing. The Lord can find ways enough to give his 
children all that is good. 

Our beloved teacher, Brother Beardsley, informed us 
that the committee in Quincy, had concluded to employ 
Esq. Warren, of Quincy, and Wright, of Palmyra. As 
they did not feel justified in employing another counsel, 
and as Wright was unwilling to undertake without the 
assistance of S. T. Glover, we engaged him — Alanson 
giving his note for two hundred and fifty dollars. The 
fee of the other two was four hundred dollars, paid, 
principally, by friends. 



THE SLEEPING PREACHER JOUKN LL. ETC. 41 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE SLEEPING PREACHER, JOURNAL, ETC. 

August 24. Last night Charles dreamed aloud again. 
(He, in his dreams, talked it all aloud.) We lay and 
heard him for two or three hours. He preached us a 
good sermon — adapted to the occasion, and fitted to our 
circumstances. We were much benefitted thereby, and 
strengthened in our faith ; encouraged to trust in God 
implicitly, being assured if we have Him on our side, 
vain are all the efforts of wicked men and devils arrayed 
against us. He was emphatically a sleeping preacher, 
and a very eloquent one too. Though he is an ignorant, 
wicked boy, even Demosthenes could not produce finer 
strains of eloquence — nor Bunyan more sublime and 
striking metaphors — nor divines more pure theology. It 
was beyond anything I ever heard ; and I trust we shall 
remember and profit by that sermon as long as we live. 
The next morning I wrote down all the principal 
ideas, as far as I could call them to mind, and give a few 
of them below for the curiosity of the reader, and I 
hope profit too. 

THE DREAM. 

He first seemed to be in a by-way, where he ought not 
to be, with his mother, his child and another of his 
companions by the name of George. While there, he 
espied a huge monster with great horns, and an iron 
grapple in his hand, coming towards them. They were 
much terrified ; and he felt that the devil had come for 
him and his child. He seized the child, threw it to his 
mother, and said to the monster — " Let my child alone, 
and take me." The mother and child escaped, while he 
disputed with the devil, who seized him ; but he very 



42 THE DREAM. 

narrowly made his escape, and, they all got home. After 
they had talked about what had passed, he consulted 
with George about going with an army to take all the 
slaves in the country and free them. He would make 
peace with slave-holders on one condition only — that 
they should give up every slave. Said he, " I'll have 
every one, even to a span long." He was very uncom- 
promising with them. 

While thus employed in talking, his wife (who w T as 
dead), appeared to him, and gave him a letter, in which 
she exhorted him to repent and meet her in heaven, or 
he must go to hell — told him that the child must die and 
be with its mother, &c, which gave him much trouble 
and distress. He thought of his promises to his wife on 
her dying bed, and how he had broken, them. He talked 
with his mother, who urged him to repent and prepare 
to meet his wife. She spoke of his wife's urging him 
to be a Christian. Now and then he would get out of 
patience and exclaim, " Mother, do go away and let me 
alone ; you are all the time at me about this subject — do 
let me alone." At length he confessed his neglect and 
his sin — said he was sorry — and after much entreaty and 
persuasion, promised he would do better and serve God 
the rest of his life, and trust in Him. He then seemed 
very happy — had great courage and faith in God — was 
not afraid of the devil and all his hosts — felt he could 
put them all to flight, and none of them could hurt him 
so long as he kept his faith in the Almighty God. u I 
have cast aside the devil's garments and implements," 
said he, u with which I could do nothing, and have put 
on God's garments, in which nothing can hurt me." 

He then began to talk with George, his companion, 
who was very fearful and faint hearted : — " You must 
not be so. You have the devil's garment on, and you 
must cast it all aside before you can do anything or be 
happy ; and you must put on God's garments ; then you 
will not fear." George tried to put the garment on over 
the devil's. M No ; you can't do that. You must take 
the oid garment clean off. It wont go on over. It just 
fits, and you can't get it on over anything." George 



THE DREAM. 43 

tried, but could not get the old garment off. " Try- 
again, pull hard, tear it off and throw it in the devil's 
face. I had to try hard many times, and kept it on a 
long time, but bless God, I've got it off and got on a 
new one which the devil can't look at. v George finally 
got it off and the devil took it away. He put on God's 
garment, and was happy and courageous. " Now when 
the devil meets you, look him right in the eye and he 
can't hurt you, but if you look down you are gone for 
ever. Don't be afraid ; look up ; look him 'plumb in the 
eye, and he'll flee. 

" With our enemies is only the devil, but with us the 
Almighty God, who is stronger than all. He has given 
me a commission to go and fight, and He will be with 
me, for He has said so (and that is enough), He canH lie. 
I shall conquer. They can't overcome. God will help 
me, and bring me safely home to heaven. 

" George, you must give up all the devil's armor, keep 
none ; take entirely new ; take God's. There is a trap-*'* 
door in the heart, and you must turn the heart bottom 
upwards, and empty out all the filth and bad stuff, and 
have it filled with good, with God and his Spirit. Do it 
now. 

" You must not attempt to go round the commandments ; 
you must go straight and keep them. If you go round 
them the first you know you will be right plumb in the 
middle of hell. 

" Keep your coat on. So long as you keep it on and 
your bright weapons in your hand, the devil can't look 
at you. You can walk right over him." 

He was sometimes very oratorical. It exceeded any- 
thing I ever heard. It was wonderful ; for when awake 
he is an exceedingly wicked and profane man. He must 
have been talking in this way for two or three hours ; so 
that I have given a mere skeleton of the scene. Could 
the whole dream be written out, just as he spoke it, it 
would make an uncommonly interesting, amusing, and 
instructive little volume. 

At other times in his dreams he would be commanding 
an army, planning and calculating with great shrewdness 



44 TREATMENT OF SLAVES. 

how to ODtain the conquests, pursuing the enemy, 
cutting bridges, charging with his cavalry on the sur- 
prised foe, firing cannon, shouting — " They flee, they 
flee, hurrah ! come on my brave fellows," — and then, 
after a victory, calling his officers about him and address- 
ing one and another, praising their bravery, encourag- 
ing them and bestowing rewards upon them. 

This " sleeping preacher," is a short, thick set, stout 
mulatto — a Canadian — w T as engaged in their war skir- 
mishes there a few years ago, where he probably 
obtained his war spirit. And if he is as shrewd and 
persevering and undaunted a warrior when awake as 
when asleep our generals would do w T ell to seek him out 
and promote him to some chief rank, for in his sleep he 
seemed to understand war tactics perfectly. 

His hatred of slavery was inveterate ; and from his 
dreams it was evident that he thought much of lead- 
ing an army into the South and liberating every slave in 
the land. At times, in his dreams, he had collected a 
force and was going from plantation to plantation pro- 
claiming liberty to every one who would join, and thus 
swelling his army till it was irresistible. 

Aug. 25. " In reproaching us do they not reproach 
the Savior V> (Mat. xxv. 40, 45) . " They have blas- 
phemed thy name, ! Lord." " How long'?" " Arise, 
plead thine own cause. Remember how the foolish 
man reproacheth thee daily." (Ps. lxxiv. 22). 

Surely " the dark places of the earth" (slaveholding 
dominions), " are full of the habitations of cruelty." 
It is a system of cruelty as much as the Inquisition. 

Said Charles, u It is a common thing for slaves to 
come upon the boats almost starved and plead and beg 
for something to eat ; will offer their hats or their clothes 
for something to satisfy the cravings of nature ; will 
work Sundays and nights to get money to buy some- 
thing to eat !" He says they are often fed on cotton 
seed ! 

When I think of separated wives and husbands, pa- 
rents and children, brothers and sisters ; the mangled, 



dr. ely's slave. 45 

bleeding backs ; the starvations ; the oppressions and 
labors ; the murders, degradations, and ignorance ; the 
innumerable evils and sufferings indescribable ; I can 
but exclaim with the Psalmist — " Full of cruelty /" " 0, 
Lord, pluck thy right hand out of thy bosom ; let thy 
arm be exalted and thy name honored in the destruction 
of this evil." 

To-day we talked with Ambrose — Dr. Ely's slave. 
He has a family of nine children — is buying himself — 
has to pay nine hundred dollars with interest ! — has it 
nearly paid, besides having worked two years for the 
Dr. of which no account was made. He was sold to go 
down south, but ran away, and the Dr. bought him run- 
ning in the woods. He is forty-one years old, black, 
and very large. He told us that one of the slaves who 
betrayed us had run away and there was fifty dollars re- 
ward* offered for him. "O, they won't run away, they 
can't be hired to run away." Ah, ha ! Let them be sure 
of friends and see. 

The blacks generally seem to sympathize with us , 
they are getting some ideas into their heads which are 
new to them. 

O, if our enemies knew what they were doing how they 
would tremble at the consequences. They are fast un 
dermining themselves. 

The thought that our being here will advance the 
cause of liberty is delightful. Let them do what they 
please with this body, if the chains of the poor slave 
are broken thereby, I will gladly suffer all that their 
spite and malice can invent. With the assurance that 
it will be so, a States prison will be a sweet place. 

BLOODY TOWNS. 

Aug. 26. Habk. ii. 11, 12.— " Wo to him that 
buildeth a town with blood, and established a city by 
iniquity." What meaneth this strange, this awful lan- 
guage 1 How can a town be built with blood? How 
established by iniquity? Go to ancient Babvlon. it 



46 dr. ely's slave. 

was built and enriched by conquering other nations ; its 
glory sustained by the blood of its enemies. It was es- 
tablished by its iniquitous laws. Concerning it the 
" woe" was fulfilled. It has long since been adesolation. 

But come to our own country. Behold our southern 
cities. They are built and enriched, and sustained, by the 
gains procured from the blood and sweat and tears of the 
slave. They are built on slavery, and slavery is a sys- 
tem of wholesale bloodshed — the blood flows continually. 

They are also " established" by such u iniquity" as 
the sun scarce ever looked upon ! Behold their laws, 
by which they are governed and " established," and 
well may we blush to think that we belong to the same 
race. 

! could their cruelty and oppression be fully known ! 
But can they prosper 1 Is not the cup of New Orleans, 
of Vicksburg, of Palmyra almost full 1 The " woe" 
has gone out against them, and if it is not executed in 
their overthrow it is fulfilled in their moral desolation, 
and will be in their eternal destruction unless they re- 
pent. Are the inhabitants so generally and entirely 
sunken in iniquity, and so united together in their wick- 
edness, that there are none to testify against them 1 Let 
them not, therefore, think they are secure, for " the stone 
out of the wall shall cry against them, and the beam out 
of the timber shall answer it," (or " witness against it," 
as the margin reads), and proclaim their abominations. 
God will find witnesses enough to testify against them, 
and unless they repent there is only wo ! wo ! ! WO ! ! ! 
for them. 

Last night Charles preached repentance again in his 
sleep. He is much disturbed in mind, — Alanson talked 
with him to-day. He said, " I have so much pressing 
on my mind that I can't attend to religion." Getting 
out and getting slaves to Canada occupies all his 
thoughts. 

My journalizing now is all done on old letters, and 
my letters written on old cards, which I split — writing 
on 4 he inside with my pencil, and on the outside with 
ink. " Necessity is the mother of invention." 



47 

The effects of slavery are seen very plainly in this 
State. Horse-racing is a great game among them. Pri- 
vate gambling is prohibited, while public and wholesale 
gambling is licensed by statute ! Fighting, dueling, 
lawing (or mobbing), murdering, and so on, abound. 
Children are brought up to be haughty and insolent, and 
the fine feelings of the soul are totally destroyed. 

27. When I read of the unspeakable pains and tor- 
tures so many Christians have endured from the servants 
of Satan, I can hardly think of my condition. Happy, 
happy am I. Thanks to God that I live in this day. 
Yea, thanks to his name that I am here. 

DEVICES OF THE ENEMY. 

Doubtless our enemies felt they were waging an un- 
holy warfare. For, so little confidence had they in the 
justice of their cause, that they used every means they 
could devise to call to their aid the united prejudices of 
the community against us. 

At first they branded us with the name of Mormons, 
than which, Abolitionists excepted, there was not a more 
odious name in Missouri. This was soon known to be 
falsely applied. Then they called us Dr. Nelson's sa- 
tellites — a name we were proud of — and he had been 
driven from their midst and hunted like a wolf, fleeing, 
in dead of night, for his life. In the papers they pub- 
lished us as dyed-in-the-wool abolitionists. 

Some were so zealous in the cause, they went about 
reporting that the Church to which we belonged had 
held several meetings, and passed resolutions to come 
and take us out by force ; which caused great excite- 
ment and tumult, preparations for resisting, &c. 

And when the three men were hung in St. Louis, they 
published a confession, said to be Brown's, in which he 
confessed he had assisted eighty slaves to Canada in 
one year — that he was employed by the abolitionists, 
and received a large salary, &c. 

The Rev. Mr. Bullard came out and published that 
Brown denied ever saying any such thing, but this was 



48 SOURCE OF CONSOLATION. 

of no avail. They were eager to believe that it was so, 
and I suppose they succeeded ; for it is exceedingly 
easy and natural for the carnal heart to " believe a lie." 

All these and other causes combining, produced a tre- 
mendous excitement all over the country against us. 
Even the little boys drank in the spirit, and would come 
to the jail and try to torment us, knocking on the door 
and calling out,— " Ha ! there, nigger-stealers, you 
think you will steal any more niggers, heh 1" — yea, and 
even the women would revile us as they passed the jail ! 

But by this excitement they only burdened themselves, 
making it necessary, as they supposed, to keep a guard 
of four men at the jail, every night, at an expense of 
$1,50 a piece, $6,00 a night, for seventy nights— $420, 
beside other expenses amounting in all to nearly $1000 
— all to come out of the county. 

Again, the more they increased and kept up the ex- 
citement, the more light spread abroad, the more the 
slaves inquired, heard, and learned ; and many times 
more than we should have got away, had we succeeded, 
bade farewell to Missouri and slavery in consequence of 
their foolish zeal to excite public odium against us. 

See how God "disappointed the crafty devices" of 
the wicked, how He " takes them in their own crafti- 
ness," and causes all their " wrath to praise Him," 
while his children sing and rejoice. 



CHAPTER V. 

EXTRACTS OF LETTERS. 

EXTRACT TO MOTHER BALLARD. 

We do not feel to murmur or repine, because we 
are here confined, and deprived of former privileges. 
No. It is not for us to say what we will do — where we 
will go, &c, — all this we leave with our Father, to di- 



LETTER TO REV. MOSES HUNTER. 49 

rect as will most glorify His name. He best knows 
what kind of a training we need — and shall we say to 
Him — This is not best 1 We cannot. We are happy 
here — and how can we be unhappy so long as we have 
such words, as Ps. xviii. 12 ; xxiii., xxvii. 1 — 3, 10 
— 14 ; xxxii. 7, 8 ; xxxiv., xxxvii. 1 — 8 ; xlvi. 1 — 3 ; 
lxxi. 1 — 8; lxxxiv. 11, 12 ; xci., cxxi., cxxv. 1, 2, Is. 
xxvi. 3, 4; xliii. 1—3; xlix. 25; Matt. v. 10—12. 
Rom. vii. 28, 35 — 39 ; and many others 1 These are 
a few of cmr cordials — our tonics — our balsams — our life 
preservers. Just read them carefully, and see if they 
are not sufficient for every state. Although our chain is 
a very large one, yet it feels very light. I sometimes 
forget I have any chain on my leg. I hardly think of it. 
Mother, come and pray with us in our palace. Come 
and see how we keep house. We are highly favored. 
We not only have a cook, but our victuals and drink are 
even brought to us, so that we are not obliged to step a 
foot out of the door. Yours truly, 

George. 

The following was written to Rev. Moses Hunter on 
a margin, cut from a newspaper : 

Palmyra Jail, Aug. 28, 1841. 

Dear Brother H. 

You see we have to rob the edges of newspapers 
in order to get paper on which to write to you. I have 
kept my journal on scraps of old letters, bits of news- 
papers, &c, ever since I came here. The paper which 
you left with the Sheriff, we cannot get. It has been 
more than three weeks since we had an opportunity to 
speak with him. But if his conscience can endure his 
conduct, we can easily bear what he sees fit to lay upon 
us. I think he will view his conduct in a very different 
light, at the great day of solemn trial. It seems he is 
determined to prevent us from obtaining justice. May 
the Lord have mercy on him. 

The jailer appears quite friendly. He is willing to do 
all he dares for us. We are watched very closely. The 
guard annoy us very much. Poor men ! I pity them. 
3 



50 AN 

Many of the colored men appear like real friends, and 
take a deep interest in our case. Some of them will 
get a few ideas, which I hope they will improve to ad- 
vantage. They frequently converse with us through 
the grates, and some of them appear like sensible men. 

God will take the cause into his own hands. Let 
this comfort our friends, though we go to the penitentia- 
ry, or be assassinated. Our bodies, our earthly ease and 
comfort, are nothing compared with God's cause. Let 
God's will be done, and let ours yield joyfully to his. 

I think it will be well to have a number of the sisters 
here on the day of decision. If w T e are acquitted, their 
presence will have a tendency to restrain violence. The 
Lord will reward you for all your trouble, and many 
poor slaves will rise up and 6 call you blessed.' 

Yours, 

George. 

The following letter was written by P. C. L., of 
Palmyra, who is said to belong to the Episcopal Church ; 
(at any rate, he professed to be very pious when he 
talked to us). It was written for the St. Louis Repub- 
lican. 

THE MISSOURIAN ? S LETTER. 

Mr. A. B. Chambers : 

Dear Sir, — From an editorial which I observed 
in a late number of yours, in regard to the Abolition- 
ists which have been lately apprehended in this county, 
I perceive you have been led into an error in saying 
they were Mormons. They are Presbyterians, and are 
the satellites of the notorious Dr. David Nelson, for- 
merly of this county. Two of them are students of his ; 
the other is a man of family. You will remember that 
this same reverend gentleman was driven away from 
this county, some five or six years since, for disseminat- 
ing Abolition doctrines. 

When these men were first arrested, I was under the 
impression that they were kidnappers, and that their 
object was to get the negroes off and sell them ; but I 



51 

am perfectly convinced that they are dyed-in-the-wool 
Abolitionists ! ! They talk freely and openly on the 
subject,* and say that the laws of God are superior to 
the laws of man. 

On Sunday I called on and conversed freely with 
them. They are quite conversant, and one of them is 
studying for the pulpit as I am informed. 

They have prayer night and morning, and one gene- 
rally gives a short discourse on the Bible. I never have, 
in the whole course of my life, seen such deluded crea- 
tures ! They say that they are fully resigned to their 
fate — that God will protect and defend them — that in 
doing what they were about to do, they were endeavor- 
ing to set free a portion of God's creatures, w r ho were 
in bondage contrary to his will. 

Speaking of Dr. Nelson, he says, 

But would you think he had the impudence to make 
an appointment at Philadelphia, a small place near 
Marion College, to preach, on last Sunday. News of 
this fact was brought to town (Palmyra), in the early 
part of the week, when two or three large companies 
were formed in different parts of the county, to go and 
take him out of the pulpit; but I am happy to say he 
left the county on Saturday, for had he remained and 
attempted to preach, He would have been hung as 
high as Haman ! 

A large company, however, went to the College to 
make an examination, but as I said, he left the day 
before. In justice to Marion College, allow me to say, 
that it is in no way connected with these vile fiends. 

We are opposed to mob law in Marion, but there is a 
point beyond which lenity ceases to be a virtue. We 
are determined not to be harassed by this monster in 
human shape. We do not want to see one of our old 
and valued citizens stabbed, and nearly murdered as Dr. 
Bosley was, a few years since, and that on Sunday, by 
the same gang, and that too under the guise of religion. 
Respectfully yours, P. C. L. 

* See Chapter III., July 18. 



52 WHO ARE ABOMINABLE IN SLAVE STATES % 

Can it be possible that the slaveholder's religion is 
the same as ours ? "I tell you nay" — as far from it as 
light is from darkness. Who is the man that is most 
abominated in a slave state ? Why, he who dares to 
live by the Bible, and act out its holy principles. 
" Well, do not slaveholders go by the Bible V } No ; by 
the Bible ! — no, no ! Themselves being judges, the 
laws of their States are far superior to all the laws of 
God. Who is called a " monster," " fiend," &c/? Why 
he who a let the oppressed go free," and then called on 
his neighbors to do the same ! He who would rebuke 
their abominations — pointing out to them a better way. 
Believe me, dear reader, for I speak that I do know, 
there can not be a greater abomination to slaveholding 
Christians than a Bible Christian. I have not merely 
heard so — or conjectured it — or believe so — 1 have seen 
it — I have felt it. 0, pray that the Spirit of God will 
open their eyes. 

the dr. bosley affray. 

Dr. Bosley is said to have been " nearly murdered by 
the same gang" — the Abolitionists. The circumstances, 
if my memory serves me, are about as follows. Dr. 
Nelson was preaching in Palmyra in 1835 or 1836. 
While thus engaged, Dr. Bosley advanced to take him 
from the pulpit. William Muldrow, a slaveholder, but 
friendly to Dr. Nelson, attempted to hinder him, at 
which Bosley drew his pistol on Muldrow, and Muldrow 
drew his dirk and stabbed Bosley. 

EXTRACT FROM JAMES'S LETTER. 

One of our counsel told us it would be a violation 
of the laws of Missouri, to read either the Declaration 
of Independence or the Bible, to a slave ! How plainly 
their laws are at war with God ! I have thought that 
slaveholders will soon have to commence a law-suit 
against Jehovah, to see whether his or their laws shall 
stand. But the contest would be unequal — the Almighty 
will overturn their system of iniquity. 



PEACE PATIENCE. 53 

It may be a satisfaction to you to know our individual 
feelings, in regard to the step that brought us here. I 
do not repent it, nor have I any doubt respecting the 
morality of the act. 

James. 



I think I can see the hand of God in it. I now 
know how to feel for those who are separated from their 
families, and bought and sold like cattle — how to sym- 
pathize with the slave in all his afflictions, better than I 
ever did before. 

I have often thought I would give my life and strength 
to the cause of the slave. If He who is infinite in wis- 
dom, sees that I can do more for the cause by being for 
years separated from my family and those I love, shall I 
murmur'? No ; in humility I will rejoice, that I am 
accounted worthy to suffer for well-doing. 

Palmyra jail is not a gloomy place. I have had 
many happy moment'; hore, which I shall not soon 
forget. 

When I look at myself and the dangers that surround 
me, I tremble — but when I look at the promises, I find 
confidence and peace. Thus far 1 have found my 
strength sufficient for my day, and in this promise I will 
continue to trust. Though men have bound us with this 
chain, and guards are prepared to take our lives, if we 
attempt to escape, yet I feel that it is a kind hand that 
holds us here ; and that when our great Redeemer shall 
have accomplished His purposes of mercy. He will de- 
liver us. Be not anxious for us, but pray.. Through 
the prayers of Christians I trust our imprisonment will 
be for the glory of God, and the speedy release of many 
in bonds. 

We have the sympathies of the slaves, and who 
knows but the " blessing of those ready to perish" may 
come upon us 1 May I ever esteem it of more value 
than the favor of the oppressor. 

A. Work. 



54 SUMMARY OF FEELINGS. 

TRIAL IN PROSPECT. 

Palmyra Jai], September 4, 1841. 

Not knowing what will be the issue of my trial, I de- 
sire to record a summary of my feelings, that it may be 
known what they are, should I suddenly be killed or 
thrust into States prison. 

And 1st: I do not regret the step I took more than 
seven weeks ago ; nor have I at any time been sorry for 
it, although thousands condemn and call me a thief, 
rascal, liar, and all that is vile and abominable — though 
many who love the Lord, and feel for the slave, and are 
my friends, disapprove of my course, yet I cannot see 
wherein I acted contrary to my master's direction or the 
spirit of the Gospel. My conscience approbates my 
course. 

That helping the poor is right, I have no doubt ; and 
although the slaveholders may plead it is taking their 
property, I feel, and am bold to affirm, that there is no 
such thing as their having property in man. It is all a 
sham. The slaves, by the law of God, own themselves, 
and if we can relieve them in any proper way, we are 
bound, by the laws of our king — by the bonds of huma- 
nity — by the feelings of mercy — by the spirit of the 
blessed gospel — to do it. The reproaches, insults, and 
menaces that have been heaped upon me — the close 
confinement, dragging the heavy chain, and being denied 
the many privileges which even their own law allows, 
have not in the least altered my principles concerning 
the rights of the slave, but on the other hand, have much 
strengthened them. 

I have not felt sorry that I have had to lie here so 
long. I have blessed the Lord, and will continue to 
bless Him for placing me here. As long as I live, I ex- 
pect to praise Him for it, and trust all my friends will 
have occasion to do the same. 

At the time I was taken I felt a little troubled for a 
moment — so sudden was the transaction — but my mind 
soon became composed ; I lifted up my heart to God, 
committed myself to his care, and said " Father, glorify 



SUMMARY OF FEELINGS. 55 

thy name." Then, as ever since, I felt assured that He 
would overrule it for his own glory, that He had kind 
and wise designs in permitting it, and that " all things 
shall work together for good," to those that love Him. 
I have all along desired that his name may be glorified 
and the greatest good accomplished, and felt the assur- 
ance that this would be the case. I felt, and still feel, 
a peace within, a comfort, and a satisfaction, in leaving 
all in his hands. 'Tis 

" Sweet to lie passive in His hands, 
And know no will but His." 

There have been times, since I have been here, that 
have tried my faith, and I have been almost ready to 
despond ; but betaking myself to the promises, and the 
weapon, " all prayer," I have been strengthened and 
encouraged, and would look up and say, " My Lord and 
my God." The days I have spent within these walls, 
have been happy, memorable, and profitable days. 
Time has passed sweetly and pleasantly away. The 
glorious Redeemer smiles upon and communes with us. 
He has spread before us the rich tables of his grace, and 
on their loaded bounties we have feasted. I now feel a 
confidence and joy in committing my whole cause into 
his hands, that He may plead it, and order all things 
according to his will, that knowing that it will be best 
for me, for my friends, and for the world. Can I not 
rejoice'? 

It would be very pleasant to be restored to dear 
friends, and with them again enjoy the privileges of the 
sanctuary, of prayer and praise ; but if this is not my 
Savior's will, I hope I may not be left to desire it, nor 
feel dejected, though long deprived of it. 

It has long been my prayer that God would do with 
me just as He saw best. I have expressed a willing- 
ness to labor in any part of the vineyard where He shall 
direct. If He has work for me in a States prison why 
should I not be willing to perform it, and rejoice to run 
at his command 1 I do, yes, and I will " rejoice in the 
Lord and joy in the rock of my salvation." This I know, 



56 REJOICING IN GOD. 

that wherever my Master sends me, He will be with me 
to counsel, support, and grant all needed grace ; and no 
good thing shall I want. He will be more to me than 
father or mother, brother or sister — more than any or all 
earthly friends. He will also be more to them than I 
could possibly be myself. I joyfully commit them to 
his will. The fury of my enemies will not be in vain. 
Truth will be elicited — light will go forth — interest will 
be excited for the slave — and the great cause of liberty 
advanced. If this be the case, then what are years of 
toil and exclusion from the world and from Christian 
society? I go cheerfully — I go gladly. Pray for 
me daily — that I may " be strong in the Lord" — exhibit 
his spirit in all circumstances, and be useful to others. 
Yours in the gospel, 

George Thompson. 



CHAPTER VI. 

JOURNAL. 

THE COMMAND. 

August 28. " Remember them in bonds as bound with 
them."— Heb. xiii. 3. 

Those who have never been bound can better sympa- 
thize with those who are, by imagining themselves in 
the same condition. They will then feel for them. We 
here can, in a small degree, " remember them in bonds 
as bound with them," from experience. 

1st. We know how the chain feels. 
' 2nd. We know what it is to be at the will of another ; 
to do as others say ; receive what they see fit to give ; 
eat and drink what their will supplies, and await their 
pleasure. 

3rd. We understandwhatitistobe forciblyseparated 



THE SEARCH. 57 

from wife, children, parents, and friends, and denied the 
sweetness of their society. 

4th. To live in uncertainty — not knowing to-day what 
they will do with us to-morrow. 

5th. To be looked down upon with scorn, reproach, 
and contempt, by men, women, and little children. 

6th. What we now suffer is for trying to benefit the 
poor, down-trodden slave. 

O, that we may feel for them more than we should 
have done had we not been placed here. I do. I be- 
lieve I shall. 

This evening a man was brought here from Waterloo 
for fighting. Said he, " If it had not been for whisky I 
should not have come here." His head was bound up, 
having been cut in the affray. O ! cruel avarice ! that 
makes such deathful drink ! What multitudes are slain 
by this monster ! O ! the misery ! — beggared families — 
broken-hearted wives, and desolate children ! 

29. Just after breakfast a gang of seven came in, 
some with clubs, one with a great book under his arm, 
and among them the magistrate and constable. Amaze- 
ment filled our minds. What was coming, we could not 
conjecture — but soon, said one, " Where shall we be- 
gin?" And another, " We've come to see whether you 
have anything with which you can get out !" Then they 
searched every nook and corner — turning things upside 
down — rummaging the beds, trunks, drawer, &c. They 
have not had the least occasion to suspect any such 
thing as our desiring to get away. 

I expected they would search our papers — but as the 
Lord would have it, they did not read one — though they 
saw them in the drawer. 

They seem to know no Sabbath, except for wicked 
ness. In the morning we were much disturbed. Many 
came to the window, with whom the others talked and 
laughed till nearly noon. It was very distressing: to hear 
such nonsense and folly on this blessed day— but here 
we are confined, and all we can say seems of no avail. 
We could neither read, nor think to profit. Dear Lord, 
it is said of thee, " He preserveth the souls of his saints." 
3* 



58 CONFIDENCE IN GOD. 

! look upon us surrounded by wickedness, and save 
us from its contaminating influence. At noon talked 
from Is. lv. 2. A very quiet afternoon — was much be- 
nefited by the word. James preached from, " What 
shall I then do with Jesus?" 

Whatever may come, I feel to say with the prophet 
Habakkuk, iii. 18—" Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, and 
joy in the God of my salvation." Ps. lxix. 19 is a 
comfort to me. The Lord knows all my wrongs, and 
my adversaries are all before Him. He knows their 
hearts, and just how to deal with them. 

SLAVE WOMEN IN PALMYRA. 

It is a common thing here for women to chop wood, 
and frequently, have I seen them thus engaged on the 
Sabbath. (I suppose their masters were in Church.) A 
great part of the water that is used in Palmyra, is car- 
ried a considerable distance by slave women, on their 
heads — and many of them carry their large washings to 
and from the public spring in the same manner. (The 
town is chiefly supplied by a fountain.) Thus slavery 
not only robs, and oppresses, but turns even females into 
beasts of drudgery and burden. 

OUR REASONS FOR SUSPECTING THEM. 

To-day, the slaves we would have helped, were here, 
among many others, who came to see us. They looked 
very much ashamed, and seemed to regret what they did, 
since they have ascertained that we were friends, and 
wished to do them good. But we have not the least 
hard feeling towards them — would just as soon help them 
to freedom as any others, though they may have volun- 
tarily betrayed us, as some say. We have rather felt 
inclined tc think that it was whipped out of them, by 
their masters — yet there are some things which strongly 
favor the former. It is said that the one who was foremost 
in the affair, belonged to a genuine kidnapper — if so, 
he may have feared we were like his master, and conse- 
quently betrayed us. And it is a well known fact, that 
slaves in general are taught that abolitionists are their 



VISIT FROM OUR BETRAYERS. 59 

worst enemies. It is not therefore to be wondered at, 
that they should be suspicious of them, till this idea is 
corrected — and this has been, and will be one good re- 
sult of our imprisonment. The slaves will learn the 
true character of abolitionists, and fly to them for help 
from every quarter. 

Another thing, that favors the idea that they betrayed 
us. The slaves informed us, that they got together one 
night — tied the one who was leader in the matter, to a 
tree, and gave him fifty lashes! so incensed were they 
at him, for treating in such a manner, those who loved 
them. 

Again, one of the very slaves who assisted in taking us, 
(and for it, received large pay from the people), as soon 
as he learned our intentions, and that in Illinois were 
friends to help him, left his kind and generous master, to 
try and "take care of himself!" I trust he will suc- 
ceed. 

But whether they did or did not, voluntarily betray us, 
it matters not to us. We are, by this event, settled for a 
time in their midst, for which we bless the Lord. We 
will continue to seek their best good. 

Aug. 31. " Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust 
also, in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." We are 
at times much puzzled to know how to get our letters to 
our friends, and often pray that the Lord will open ways 
for us to communicate with those we love. To-day 
Brethren William Vandoorne, and John Brown came 
over, and contrary to all that has been before they were 
allowed to come in with our two lawyers. Brother 
Vandoorne seemed to understand our straits, and while 
we were talking with the lawyers, &c, he with his hat 
in his hand behind him, backed up before us, and be- 
fore Charles (to whom we had given most of our papers), 
and we cast in our offerings, unobserved by our enemies. 

FRIENDS ENEMIES RAGE. 

Sept. 1. Another load of friends came over — brethren 
and sisters. Mrs. Work came in while the rest were in 
the wagon under the grates of our window. We had 



GO A WAY OPENED. 

hut just passed our letters, shaken hands through the 
double grates, and spoken a few words, when they were 
ordered away from the window. Many gathered round 
as if to devour them. Their wild stare, and unmanner- 
ly conduct was such as might be looked for among a 
company of savages. Our brethren and sisters in the 
street, and we fast to our huge chain, united in singing 
some of the precious " Songs of Zion." When we be- 
gan to sing, the people in greater numbers gathered round, 
and many went away in a rage, cursing, and almost 
gnashing their teeth ! O ! what a spirit is that, which 
is so envious at the happiness of others ! What a heart 
does it show when a man is filled with rage, and fury, 
by seeing those who are the objects of his spite, happy 
in the Lord, and rejoicing under reproaches ! When I 
see the fury of those who would devour me — the great 
numbers of great men, of all classes w T ho are uniting 
against me — their resolutions and determinations, al- 
most like that of the forty, who " bound themselves with 
an oath, that they would neither eat nor drink till they 
had killed Paul" — when I see all these things, and hear 
their threats, and then remember that they are magnify- 
ing themselves against God, it is very comforting to 
know that He can put his " hook in their noses, and his 
bridle in their lips," (Is, xxxvii. 29), and lead them 
where — and as He will — and cause all their rage to 
magnify his name. 

SLAVE WHIPPED. 

Sept. 4. Last night a slave passing the Jail, was or- 
dered by Esq. Wilson to stop. " Where are you go- 
ing V 9 " My master sent me after the Doctor." " It is 
a d — d lie !" said Wilson — " Pull off your shirt." " I 
can't do that," said the slave, and took hold of Wilson. 
The guards came to his help, and held the slave while 
Wilson gave him twenty lashes ! " Now go home," 
said he. " I shan't, I shall go after the Doctor," replied 
the slave, and ran, Wilson pursuing him. 

Shortly after Ambrose (Dr. Ely's slave), came along, 
"Where are you going?" bawled out Wilson. "It's 



TRUST 12* THE LORD. 61 

none of your business," replied A , and as he was 

very large they dared not attack him. Two others came 
along with clubs in their hands, and Esq. Wilson 
thought his safest way was to let them alone. ! the 
abominations of slavery ! How innumerable are its 
cruelties ! 

Sept. 5. My faith fastens on the promises more and 
more strongly; and yet the blessing of being restored to 
liberty and friends, seems almost too good, and too great, 
to expect. I am unworthy of it, but will cast myself 
into my Savior's arms, to do with me as seemeth good 
to Him. His word is very dear and sweet to-day. 
Talked from Ps. xxvii. 1 — 5. It gave me comfort and 
peace. With the assurance that the " Lord of Hosts is 
with us," " I will not fear." " For in the time of trou- 
ble He will hide me in a pavilion, and set me on a Rock." 

The "Book of Martyrs," has afforded me much com- 
fort and strength in prospect of suffering. As we were 
singing, a Palmyra lady passed by. " Hark," said she, 
" the rebels are singing." The Lord open her eyes, and 
have mercy. The Sun is about to leave us. Farewell, 
"King of Day." Shall I greet you again, on a Sab- 
bath, in Missouri 1 I shall see you where it is best. 
Amen. 

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER TO THE CHURCH JUST 
BEFORE THE TRIAL. 

Dear brethren and sisters, I still ask you to remember 
us at the " throne of grace." Don't put any trust in 
man. There is no hope in an arm of flesh. There are 
many who have risen up against us, and who are laying 
deep their plans, in certain expectation of our condem- 
nation. They will spare no money, nor efforts to ac- 
complish their end. 

But " with us is the Lord our God." Don't think our 
lawyers can help us, unless God be on our side. Think 
of Hezekiah and Sennacherib — of Paul and Silas, and 
of Peter. Read the. accounts, and look only to the 
Lord. Let there be much fervent prayer while the trial 



62 PREPARATION FOR TRIAL. 

is advancing. Pray that Jesus our great " counsellor" 
will direct the whole. 

Of some of those who shall come as witnesses, it may- 
be required to testify to our former character. Esq. 
Glover thinks if that is established, it will be sufficient, 
and no more will be required. We wish W. J. C, to 
recollect very particularly the conversation between him 
and James and the two slaves, to show that the slaves 
wished to go — that there was no intention of taking them 
against their will. Wright and Glover think this very 
important. We shall want those to whom James relat- 
ed the facts, and conversation, and his intentions — who 
knew our feelings and motives, as they have heard us 
express them, to testify to our motive — that it was to set 
them across the river, according to their own desire, and 
not against their wills, nor to make gain of them. Per- 
haps testimony may be required as to the time we had 
been in Missouri. May the Savior direct you all. 
Come filled with the Spirit, and relying on God. 

George. 

I will here remark, that many came over prepared to 
testify on all these points, but for reasons which will 
hereafter appear, not one was examined — our lawyers 
all considering it perfectly unnecessary. The particulars 
will be given in their order. 

TO A FRIEND. 

M , how would you feel to see your father, mo- 
ther, brothers, or sisters put up, and knocked off to the 
highest bidder ! 0, have we felt for the poor slave, a as 
bound with him .?" Did Christians realize their condi- 
tion ; O, how differently would they act ! Wherever 
we go, " let us cry aloud. " 

SALE OF HUMAN BEINGS ! JOURNAL. 

Sept. 6. I know not in w T hat words to express my 
feelings — my mind is filled with mingled emotions of 
amazement, indignation, pity, and horror. At noon, 
eight or ten horses were sold, at sheriff's sale, and then 
a woman and her child, for four hundred and sixty-five 



SALE OF HUMAN BEINGS. 63 

dollars — lastly, a man for five hundred and seventy-one 
dollars ! Of such things I have often heard, but never 
before saw them. ! the scene ! 

A crowd gathered round, and these immortal beings 
— bound to eternity, bought with the sweat, groans, 
blood, and death of Jesus Christ — destined to heaven or 
hell — bearing the impress of their Maker's hand — pos- 
sessing feelings, emotions, and afTections like ourselves, 
and the consciousness that they were born with the (i in- 
alienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of hap- 
piness" — these were set up, cried, and knocked off 
under the hammer, to the highest bidder, for gold and 
silver! 

Am I among human beings ? Am I in a civilized 
country ? Can it be that I am among those who profess 
to be the servants of the blessed Redeemer, that meek 
and lowly Lamb ! Am I in a community where the 
Bible is read, and its principles professed? O, what is 
man ! Where are his feelings of propriety, of mercy, 
of reason, of justice, of humanity? What do they 
think their fellow-men are ? Have they any thought ot 
an eternity — of a judgment — of a righteous, holy, and 
just God ? Do they expect to meet these proceedings 
at his bar? There, do they expect to see the poor 
slaves they thus buy and sell, and be charged by the 
Judge with buying, selling, and abusing Him, in the 
person of his children ? What can they think ? What 
have their hearts become ? And what will become ot 
them ? Is there a heaven for them ? 

Poor slaves ! what must be their cogitations, while 
being thus bid off ? And what must be the state of a 
community — how distorted, how sunken in vice, and 
corruption and wickedness — how far gone, and almost 
past recovery — how ripe for the judgments of heaven 
and how deserving to be cast into the darkness of deep 
oblivion and eternal night, that can allow, practise, and 
justify such awful abominations by law and by the Bible f 
and who imprison and kill those who oppose their 
iniquity ! ! 

And yet what are northern, compared with southern 



64 A HORRIBLE THING DONE IN THE LAND. 

slave states ? 0, my country, my country ! Is there 
any mercy for it 1 How is God insulted, and cast away 
(so to speak), when men are looked upon, and treated 
as the brutes ! And yet multitudes who profess to be 
Christians, yea, the ministers of the gospel ! are en- 
gaged in this hellish system of barbarity — and worse 
than heathenish cruelty, and heaven-daring, insulting 
abomination ! O ! heaven spare. 

Are they followers of Christ ? Are they on the road 
to the Celestial City 1 And are the upper regions to 
ring with songs from such beings ? But I forbear. " 
that they were wise, that they would consider their latter 
end," and these things also in view of it. May God 
have mercy on them, open their eyes, melt their hearts, 
and cause them to repent. May I have right feelings 
towards them. I can pray for them. 

THE MISSOURIAN ? S LETTER, AGAIN PRISON REFLEC- 
TIONS. 

Sept. 6. Read the letter, written by P. C. Lambert 
— and a strange one it is to be w r ritten by a professor of 
religion. Dr. Nelson, that meekest of men — very harm- 
less, and who would not injure a fellow mortal for a 
world — whose whole soul is filled with love to God and 
man — who thinks of naught but heaven, and doing good 
to a lost world — he is called a u monster in human 
shape /" 

Does P. C. L., expect to sing in heaven 1 Let him 
know that this " monster" w T ill be there (he is already 
there before him). Abolitionists, whose hearts burn with 
love to their fellow-men — who are trying to benefit, help, 
and comfort the poor, and who rebuke the iniquities of 
slavery, — they are called " vile fiends." If such be 
" fiends " God increase the number, and fill the earth 
with them. This man, no doubt, anticipates a seat in 
the mansions on high. Yet how T will he feel, and all 
others like him, when they see " a multitude that no man 
can number of these u vile fiends," coming up before the 
throne, and striking their harps to the praise of the Lamb 1 
They will surely be there, and can such men as P. C. L., 



DEPRAVING INFLUENCE OF SLAVErV. 65 

be happy in their presence 1 Will their notes of praise 
at all harmonize ? But there is no discord there. Can 
they sing the same song 1 There is only one there. 
Then what will they do 1 Will a portion of the upper 
region be set apart for them ? Will they be colonized ? 
Ah ! no. There is no place in heaven for those who 
cannot love all men. I fear many will find their hea- 
ven to be hell. O ! the Church ! Lord purge it. 

Of us he says, " I never saw such poor deluded crea- 
tures." Deluded? Bless God for such a delusion ! O ! 
that it may rapidly spread, till all the Church shall be 
under its influence. Happy delusion ! 

! how Slavery blinds men's eyes and minds ! They 
can see nothing good or lovely in a person or plan, that 
does not uphold their " Domestic Institutions." The 
more faithful a man is to them, the more he is despised 
and persecuted ! And should the glorious Redeemer again 
appear, and pass through the slave dominions, doubtless 
he would be looked upon as the greatest li fanatic" — 
" insurrectionist," and " monster in human shape," that 
ever trod God's footstool — would be despised, hated, 
and " hung as high as Haman," without " Judge or 
Jury," by those who " worship the great goddess," and 
fear lest " the hope of their gains" should be taken 
away ! Shall I then repine, and think it hard that I 
must lie here so long 1 No, no ! I bless the Lord for 
this chain. It looks sweet to me. I shall never forget 
it. 

COURT. 

On the 6th of Sept., court commenced, but our case 
did not come on till the 10th. There were three rea- 
sons for its delay. First : It took some time for the 
Sheriff to hunt up men for Jurors. Second : Confident 
of the weakness and injustice of their cause, they had 
sent to St. Louis, for one Crockett, who was paid a large 
sum, by the voluntary contribution of individuals — and 
our trial must be delayed till he arrived. But the third, 
and perhaps most prominent reason was, they could not, 
for a long time, find any indictment against us, for it had 



66 A DIFFICULT CASE ON HAND. 

become universally acknowledged, by friends and foes, 
that we had broken no law of Missouri ! And what 
to do they knew not. To send us to the penitentiary 
they were determined, but the how puzzled them for a 
time. Said the States Attorney to a brother lawyer, 
" I wish you would help me a little. I have a difficult 
case on hand. I can find no law on which to predicate 
an indictment against these men, and yet an indictment 
must be made out in some way !" Yes, but none but 
the distorted mind of the slaveholder could have devised 
the plan. For how is it possible to indict a man who is 
obedient to the law 1 And, " Where no law is, there 
is no transgression" — divine authority for it. 

Said a lawyer to Esq. Glover, after he had made his 
plea for us, and was retiring from the court-house — 
4i Well G., you have made it perfectly clear, that these 
men have transgressed no law of the State." 

Said Wright in his speech — u If we have no law to 
inflict punishment upon these men — if we have over- 
looked this point in our legislations, let justice take its 
course — release them and send men to Jefferson who 
will enact a law, and thus guard against all future de- 
predations of the kind. At Jefferson only, can this 
defect be supplied." 

To our trial many of our friends from Quincy and vi- 
cinity came, with whom we had frequent interviews 
through the grates, wdiile waiting from day to day for our 
case to come on. Those who could not come, wrote, 
assuring us of their sympathy and prayers. 

THE ABOLITION STAND. 

While waiting in daily expectation of our trial, I wrote 
the following on the bottom of the drawer to our stand, 
with my pencil, that after we had gone it might act as 
an Anti-Slavery lecturer where the living voice would 
not be heard. 

ADDRESS. 

" Wo to them who decree unrighteous decrees (such 
as slave laws), and establish iniquity by law," (such as 



ADDRESS TO THE STAND. 67 

buying and selling men — parting wives and husbands, 
parents and children — causing men to work without 
wages, the hire of whom crieth unto the Lord for ven- 
geance). Let- every one engaged .in this system of 
hellish iniquity be afraid and tremble, for the judgments 
of heaven hang over their guilty heads, and will quickly 
fall upon them unless they repent. 

! man, " flee from the wrath to come." " Escape 
for your life." Ruin is nigh. " What thou doest, do 
quickly ;" — for unless you humble yourself before the 
eternal God, there is no heaven for you, but an awful, 
eternal hell. 

The slaves are God's poor. All their sufferings arc 
noticed by Him — every stroke of the whip is recorded 
— every groan counted— and every tear bottled up by 
their Maker, to be brought up against you at the solemn 
judgment. How will you answer? What will you say 
for yourself? You will be speechless. 

1 pity the fate of a slaveholder. If there is a low 
place in hell, an enlightened slaveholder will occupy that 
place. He will be cursed by men and devils. 

I pity the children of slaveholders. They are trained 
up for oppressors, upon whom God will pour the " black- 
ness of darkness" for ever and ever. 

I pity a patrol. This office is cruel, low, mean, and 
heart-hardening. 

Dear stand, — You have been very kind to us in our 
confinement. For your valuable services we are very 
thankful. As we are now about to leave you, we bid 
you farewell, and send you into the world a single-hand- 
ed abolitionist, to preach deliverance to the captive, to 
rebuke men for their sins, and warn them of their danger. 
Cry aloud to high and low, rich and poor — spare not. 
May you do much good and be protected. We com- 
mend* you to the mercy of the people. May many of 
the oppressed be delivered by your means. 

I pray some eye may fall upon it, and that good may 
result by the blessing of the Lord. " How great a mat- 
ter a little fire kindleth." 



68 A DEVICE THE RABBLE. 



TREATMENT OF OUR FRIENDS. 

Though many of our friends were present in Palmyra 
for nearly a week, yet, by the " good hand of God upon 
them," no one was injured. And wonderful, as it may 
seem, the large body of " dyed-in-the-wool," abolition- 
ists were generously entertained by the citizens. Mr. 
Muldrow, keeper of the Temperance house, invited Mrs. 
Work and other ladies to make his house their home 
during the trial. Mr. Wilcox, a tavern keeper, gave the 
use of a house, and fuel, to all who desired to occupy it. 
I rejoice that I am able to speak some good of those who 
desire our destruction. One of our witnesses, whose 
testimony was deemed very important, was pursued by 
a company, and very narrowly escaped with his liberty, 
at the risk of his life. By some means (perhaps by 
some Illinois traitor), it was ascertained that he was with 
James at the time the agreement was made to meet and 
help the slaves. They had determined to take him, and 
send him to Jefferson with us (merely for speaking to a 
slave) ! Their plan being known, by one who felt 
friendly, he was advised to stand on Illinois soil as 
soon as possible. He fled, and barely saved himself. 

On the night of the 9th, the rabble made considerable 
disturbance — collected a company of " certain lewd 
fellows of the baser sort," and marched round through 
the town singing, huzzaing, and deriding our friends, till 
the Lord came upon them and smote one of their num- 
ber, making him groan and cry aloud, and thus they 
were dispersed. How easy for God to smite them all ! 
They made their boasts that if we were cleared, we 
would get a great flogging, before we could get out of 
town. How vain their threats ! " The Lord is on my 
side. I will not fear what can man do unto me V 
Dear Savior, stand by me. 

THE CLOSET MOTHER. 

Said mother B., as she stood and talked with us 
through the grates, " If my John (who was dead), was 
there, I should feel that I could do more for him, by 



FEW WILLING TO SUFFER. 69 

staying at home in my closet, than by going into court to 
testify for him !" This is an excellent spirit, it shows 
that she knows from whence help must come, and a con- 
fidence that she should not be turned empty away. Ah ! 
give me such to plead my cause — those who go to the 
fountain of help. 

Some seem to think we cannot be so happy here, as 
at liberty. I know of no two months in all my life, to 
which I expect to look with so much real pleasure, as to 
these. Sweet walls ! sweet chain ! 

THE SLEEPING PREACHER AGAIN. 

To-day he had a long dream about delivering the 
slaves. As he fell asleep and dreamed in the day-time, 
w T e had a fair opportunity to observe all his motions, as 
well as hear his words — and a more amusing sight I 
never saw. Sometimes he w T ould be in one position, 
levelling a cannon at the enemy ; then he would be 
riding on horseback, spurring and hastening with all 
speed, calling upon his troops to follow. 

Said he, with great energy, " Slavery shall be done 
away, or I will die." His whole soul seems to be bent 
on this one thing. This is his fixed determination — 
asleep and awake. ! that every abolitionist had his 
courage and perseverance. But how few are ready to 
die, or even suffer a little for the poor slave ! They are 
willing to avow themselves the friends of the despised, 
so long as they are surrounded by others who plead their 
cause ; but as soon as they find themselves among the 
enemies of the slave, they are still and afraid. 

Said Charles (in his dream) , " If no one will go w T ith 
me, I'll go alone, in the strength of God, and shall pre- 
vail. The slave shall be free /" May all have this 
spirit as respects spiritual weapons, and go forward — 
single-handed if necessary — determined never to cease 
crying aloud, and using all their endeavors, till every 
chain is broken, or life is extinct. O Lord ! gird up thy 
people for the work. Prepare me to go forth, and labor 
successfully for the downtrodden. 



70 *THE TRIAL. 



EXCITEMENT. 



During the two months we lay in jail previous to trial, 
our fame had spread far abroad — and the farther it 
extended, the more exaggerated and false the statement 
became ; so that great excitement prevailed over the 
country. The prejudices of the people were aroused 
against us, and great indignation was manifest on almost 
all countenances. When court time came, multitudes 
assembled from far and near. The old and young, black 
and white, rich and poor, all seemed enlisted — here a 
company and there a group — some staggering like a 
drunken man, others cursing and mocking. Some 
seemed very anxious to get into the jail, where they 
could lay hands on us ; but God restrained them. They 
evidently waited from day to day, with much im- 
patience, to see us brought forth, eager to get a view of 
such notorious disturbers of their peace. 

It would be a great wonder, if, in the midst of such a 
furious gang of w r olves, a few feeble lambs (our friends), 
were not destroyed, if we did not call to mind the pro- 
mises. From these, we should have expected just such 
a wonderful deliverance. 



CHAPTER VII. 

TRIAL AND CONVICTION. 

On the day previous to our being brought forth, our at- 
torneys, Warren and Glover, came into the jail, and read 
to us our indictments. And I almost regret I have not 
a copy of them, for the reader — but it is best I should 
not have. They w r ere strange things indeed, and would 
show very clearly, to what extremities slavery was 
driven, when obliged to resort to such measures for its 
support. The principle, by which they were governed, 



INDICTMENTS. 7] 

seemed to be, " If we have not right, we have might on 
our side, and go to the penitentiary they shall." In my 
journal, respecting it, I recorded, — " What the result 
will be I cannot tell, but it does appear as if, in making 
out their indictments, they lacked common sense. I can 
say with Paul, ' Neither can they prove the things 
whereof they now accuse us ;' unless they suborn wit- 
nesses (which a number did), and then I am sure they 
will have the worst of it." 

There were three indictments. The first took the 
broad ground, and charged us with stealing four or 
five negroes — being utterly false in many of its circum- 
stantial statements. The second charged us with an 
attempt to steal them. The third, with having formed a 
combination, intending to make an attempt to steal 
them — both the latter, as false and ridiculous in their 
statements, as the former. 

At first, our counsel thought of trying me alone on 
the latter indictment, as this was the lightest, and I was 
only an accessory in them all — but finally concluded 
there would be no manner of danger in taking us all 
together, on the first, feeling confident that justice could 
do nothing with us. We consented to be thus tried. 

" May our faith be greatly increased, and continue to 
increase, as we advance through the fiery ordeal. May 
we have His spirit, " who, when He was reviled, reviled 
hot again — when he suffered, He threatened not, but 
committed Himself to Him who judgeth righteously." 

SHACKLES OFF. 

Sept. 10. Noon. Truly they are many who are gath- 
ered together against us, to destroy us. What are we y 
that we should attract so much notice ! A little before 
twelve o'clock, they came, and knocked off our fetters, 
with hammer and chisel. We were then led out to the 
gaze of hundreds, who, no doubt, expected to see some- 
thing very wonderful. They were a sight indeed ! 
Such running, and crowding, and stretching, and climb- 
ing — such eyes, and mouths, and expressions of wonder 
and amazement, we had not before seen ! O ! what mad- 



72 JURY CHOSEN. 

ness! What folly! What meanness! They seemed 
almost ready to devour us. 

Thus surrounded, we walked to the court house, each 
accompanied by a guard. In a few minutes, court ad- 
journed, and we returned to our palace, safe and sound. 
This is the first time, for more than fifty-eight days, that 
I have taken a natural step. I feel like a bird out of its 
cage, now that we can walk about our room with free- 
dom. 

Evening. Have been before the court — house crowd- 
ed — windows, doors, stairs, &c, all full, while many 
could not find a place. After a long time the Jury was 
chosen, — all of whom, with one exception, had made up 
their minds from previous report, and under oath, con- 
fessed themselves prejudiced against us, but thought they 
could decide according to justice, which was, in their 
view, the Penitentiary. Such, reader, was the impar- 
tial jury, before whom we were tried! 

WITNESSES. 

Against us, were three or four witnesses sworn 
— and for us, about six. As Esq. B., an old man, 
whose head blossomed in white, came forward to be 
sworn in our behalf, one of the rabble behind us, ex- 
claimed, u there goes the daddy of all Abolitionists." 
But though so many of our witnesses were sworn, when 
the testimony and confessions of those against us were 
heard, it was deemed wholly unnecessary to occupy more 
time in the examination of our witnesses ; as the testi- 
mony of our enemies was considered abundantly suffi- 
cient to clear us from the indictment. 

In their first testimony, many things were stated, posi- 
tively false, and which the witnesses must have known 
to be so. For example, Wm. P. Brown testified that 
he heard Work and Burr tell the slaves that they had 
sent off four negroes about four weeks ago — that they 
had sent off a good many negroes, who were all doing 
well, &c. The Devil could not have told a more abso- 
lute falsehood. Nothing of the kind was ever uttered 
by them. Two weeks previous to our arrest, we had 



EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES BRuWN's TESTIMONY. 73 

helped one on his way, and that w T as all. Again Brown 
said, when he presented his gun, Burr sprang, and said 
" Lord God !" and appeared to be near fifteen feet high * 
Burr made no such expression. The " fifteen feet" 
is a sufficient comment on this testimony. 

Again, he swore, that when he came to the bank, I 
was paddling. I had my fishing pole in my hand, and 
was standing in the skiff, just ready to draw my captive 
from the watery element, when he approached and threat- 
ened to shoot me. Again, he swore it was dark, there 
being a fog, so that he could not see a man at any dis- 
tance. The fact is, it was a very bright night, and the 
moon was shedding her silvery rays most beautifully 
upon the earth. And many other statements, which I 
will not mention, were just as false — statements respect- 
ing what we said — what slaves said, &c. When cross 
examined by our counsel, he said, " I told Paris, 
Allen, and Prince (slaves), that there were some men 
from Illinois, who wished to assist them in getting their 
freedom, and that if they wished to go, they had my per- 
mission to go with them / They said they did not 
wish their freedom. I told them to go with Anthony, 
(a slave) — and where he was going — and that if they 
saw any man who wished to aid them in getting their 
freedom, that they had my permission to go with them ! 
That I would meet them before they got to the River. I 
did dot direct Anthony to go, but I knew he was going. 
I did not know that John went, but John was present, 
when he told all his boys, that they might go, if they de- 
sired. We gave the negroes five dollars apiece, for 
their conduct, and some more money was made up for 
them in Palmyra afterwards. I gave these directions to 
my negroes, at my home, in the yard, before they went. 
I told them to go where Anthony had appointed to meet 
them — the prisoners — at the river, I told Allen to go, 
and get hold of the skiff, and hold it. I also stated to 
Wiseman, the directions I had given to my negroes. I 
don't know that the prisoners had ever seen the negroes 
before, nor do I know that any agreement had been 
made to meet the negroes. I never had any communi- 

4 



74 NEGRO TESTIMONY LUGGED IN. 

cation directly or indirectly, with the prisoners, prior to 
the time I took them. I had no control over Woolfolk's 
negro. Woolfolk was not at home. I do not know 
that John heard me, when I said that as many as wished 
to go had my permission, but he was present in the yard 
and heard me." 

Reader, what think you of sending men to Penitentia 
ry for twelve years on such testimony 1 It needs no 
comment. 

Mr. Quinn was examined. Among other things he 
stated that he saw Burr two weeks before our arrest, in 
Boulman's field, where he was at work. When he left 
he did not go in the precise direction given to him, he 
did not go in any road." Cross examined. He said, 
" Burr did not speak to the negroes, and there was no 
road, to go in the direction my uncle gave him. He was 
in the field, and there was no road /" 

Reader, you may consider this as a specimen of the 
circumstantial evidence brought against us. Look at it. 
Because, perchance, Burr did not go in the precise course 
he was directed ; because, in a field where there was no 
road he varied a little to the south, what is the conclu- 
sion 1 Why, that he wanted to steal the slaves ! 

Another thing. When the witnesses were cross ex- 
amined, our counsel were particular to enquire from 
whe?ice they derived their information (on many points). 
They were obliged to confess, "from the slaves /" By 
the laws of Missouri, a black man's testimony against a 
white man, is of no avail, and yet here, they were lug- 
ging in testimony after testimony, as if they saw or 
heard the things themselves, when, lo ! " My negroes told 
me," so and so. 

Crockett, the St. Louis lawyer, saw that the most of 
the testimony of the witnesses was likely to be shown 
to be but the mere say-so of the negroes, and he remon- 
strated strongly against our counsel asking such ques- 
tions. 

Mr. Boulman, an old man, tottering on the brink 
of the grave, was examined, but what he said, mere 
ly made sport, and a roar of laughter in the assem- 



SPEECH OF GLOVER. 75 

bly — and I deem it not necessary to fill my pages with 
trifling nonsense. For want of room, I am obliged to 
omit much I otherwise should desire to lay before the 
public. 

Sept. 11. Last night as we were talking together, 
one above cried out, " Shut your mouths there below, 
and go to sleep." They had been playing cards and ca- 
rousing, so that we could scarcely sleep at all, and 
then because we could not sleep on account of their 
noise, and were passing the time in conversation, their 
hearts were so rilled with spite and envy, that they 
grudged us even that happiness. O, what a spirit. 
But such worketh slavery. 

THE PLEADING. 

The States Attorney [Abernethy], made a short 
speech, venting out his hatred to abolitionists — classed 
them with Mormons, yea, with the notorious land pi- 
rates, John A. Murrell's gang, holding us up as terrible 
creatures, and making appeals, to excite the prejudice 
and hatred of the multitude, who were already so charged 
therewith, that they could scarcely contain themselves. 

In his speech he compared the slaves to sheep, and 
liberty to salt ; — said that enticing away the slave by 
spreading the offer of liberty before him, was just as 
really larceny, as tolling away a man's flock of sheep 
by salt. 

Glover followed him with a clear, forcible, and argu- 
mentative speech, showing by various illustrations that 
what we did could not, in any sense of the word, be 
called larceny. His illustrations and references I cannot 
call to mind. He made some thrilling appeals to the 
jury with regard to the importance of justice — beautiful- 
ly introduced the case of Aristides — referred to the 
house in which we were assembled as being called a house 
of justice, &c. — acknowledged that the rights of the peo- 
ple had been invaded — but there was no law forbidding 
it, and consequently they must patiently and nobly bear 
the wrong, till legal steps could be taken to prevent 
such things. 



76 SPEECHES OF ANDERSON AND WARREN. 

He made the case very plain ; but their hearts were 
so filled with deep-rooted prejudices, and their minds so 
blinded to everything that does not uphold slavery, the 
jury appeared to see no force in his reasoning. 

Anderson followed Glover. He volunteered his ser- 
vices, and talked very wickedly. His whole speech 
was merely a wild, boisterous harangue against Aboli- 
tionism and Mormonism (classing us with the Mormons), 
appealing with great spirit to the malice and prejudice of 
the jury and crowded assembly present, that he might 
make our punishment more sure. He fought hard 
against God, against his truth, his poor and his ' little 
ones' — against righteousness and all reason, mercy, jus- 
tice and humanity. Tt distressed my soul exceedingly 
to hear a professor of religion (I was informed he was 
such), talk thus ; and I could, at the time, but raise my 
heart to God in his behalf. ! that his eyes may be 
opened. Once (as I am informed) he professed to be a 
warm friend of Dr. Nelson and of the poor slave — but 
he has laid aside such feelings, and, as his own slave 
testifies, is now worse than ever — more oppressive to the 
slaves, and more bitter against those who plead their 
cause. He plead strongly for slavery — made exciting 
appeals, and seemed to desire ardently our long impri- 
sonment. 

Shall we meet him in heaven? How will he look 
upon us and sing with us there 1 Unless his feelings 
change from those expressed, he could not be happy 
with us. The Lord will make it all right. 

Alanson and myself wrote him a very plain letter, 
which he published, to increase the prejudice against us, 
and augment our suffering. 

Warren next made a lucid speech — showing clearly, 
by a variety of familiar illustrations, that what we did, 
could not be called larceny. He was an Illinoisian, and 
much prejudice prevailed against him in Palmyra, many 
supposing him to be an abolitionist. Yet he plead 
boldly. That his arguments might have more force, or 
to secure his own safety, he told them — " I have never 
yet passed for an abolitionist on either side of the river." 



SPEECH OF WRIGHT. 77 

Whether he was an abolitionist, I cannot say — but this 
much I can say for him — he and Moses Hunter were 
the first of our friends whom we saw after our confine- 
ment. They both prayed with us in the jail ; and there, 
in the presence of the jailer, guard, &c, he prayed for 
the " oppressed" as not one half of the abolitionists 
would dare to. 

Wright followed, making the closing speech in our 
behalf. He was quite lengthy but not tedious. He 
took up the statute, and, from standard authors (so re- 
ceived on all other points even in slave states), demon- 
strated to every unprejudiced mind, that upon no possi- 
ble principle of legal interpretation, could our conduct be 
called larceny — that there was no law whatever in 
Missouri touching our case. 

He took up the facts, and showed that we had no in- 
tention to convert said property to our own use — had no 
self-interest in the matter, but desired only the benefit of 
the slave. In every point of view, from legal rules, le- 
gal principles and examples, he in numerous ways 
brought out the same truth. 

Said he — " I appear before you as a friend to our in- 
stitutions — as a citizen of the State, and as a slaveholder, 
but also a defender of justice. I believe those men 
were honest in their intentions, and really desired to 
benefit the slave. I have no doubt that they think them- 
selves persecuted, and, should ihey go to the peniten- 
tiary, will feel that they are martyrs, and that their 
crown will shine brighter, and their song rise higher on 
account of what they now suffer. I despise an aboli- 
tionist, and their conduct too, but I plead that there is 
no law to hit the case, and therefore they should not be 
punished. Our only w T ay is to send men to Jefferson who 
shall make provision for the future.* Let justice take 

*The following law was passed and approved by the Governor more 
than three years after we were confined in the Penitentiary. 

» If any person shall forge for any slave a free pass, or place in the 
possession of anv slave any paper or thing whatever, by which such 
slave may the more readily escape from his master.— and any person 
who may abduct or entice, or attempt to abduct or entice any slave away 
from his master, such person shall, for every such offence, be subject to 



78 THE GREAT LEVER. 

its course," &c. He plead nobly, though he was a 
slaveholder. None but those who were determined not 
to see could help seeing the truth, as thus spread before 
them in meridian brghtness. He showed that the slaves 
were so far from being in our possession, and under our 
control, that we were in their possession, and that they 
were in the possession of their masters, acting according 
to their commands, and under their control — and instead 
of our stealing them, that they stole us. 

It was now evening. After an intermission of half an 
hour, we again assembled, and Crockett made a display 
of his ingenuity in evading argument, blinding men's 
eyes, and causing justice to fall in the streets. His 
speech pleased the rabble very much, but was not in ac- 
cordance with the law. 

For the information of the reader, I will mention the 
great lever by which he overturned, in the minds of the 
jury, all that had been brought forward from standard 
authorities, by our counsel. From a great many refer- 
ences, they had shown what was, and what was not lar- 
ceny — and that the present case could not from any 
definition, or principle, or example, be construed into 
larceny. But a very easy way to get round all this, had 
Crockett, by simply saying that " England had no slave 
property, consequently all these examples that have been 
Drought forward, have no application to this species of 
property, and are wholly irrelevant ! ! !" Amazing ! what 
a discovery ! Where is the school-boy that does not know 
that England did have such kind of property, when the 
laws were made ? And yet, this palpable absurdity was 
swallowed by the mass, as an unanswerable argument. 

His speech continued till near midnight, on Saturday ; 
we then returned to our habitation, to spend the Sabbath. 

an indictment in any court in the State having criminal jurisdiction, 
and, on conviction thereof, shall be confined in the Penitentiary of the 
State for a term of years not less than five nor more than ten."' — Sec. vii. 
Reader, the above is a true copy from the State Records, signed by the 
Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, Secretary and Governor 
of the State of Missouri, March 27, 1845, And we were locked in the 
Penitentiary, Oct. 3, 1841. 
their laws. 



DESTINY UNCERTAIN YET NOT. ANXIOUS. 79 



JOURNAL. 

Sept. 12. After the scenes of the past week, the 
care, anxiety, and suspense in which we have been held 
— surrounded by gazing crowds, who poured their ana- 
themas upon us, and thirsted for our blood, how delight- 
ful to be again enclosed in our room from the multitudes ! 
Yea, how sweet to meet another Sabbath, when we can 
draw near, and pour out our hearts into the bosom of 
our Savior. Though we are yet in suspense, it is good 
to have this day, to study our bibles and pray. The 
result is yet uncertain. It is now in the hands of the 
judge and jury, and they are in the hands of God — and 
I am sure He will lead to that decision which will most 
advance the cause of liberty and truth. Feeling this, 
and desiring only the advancement of that cause, why 
should one anxious thought possess my bosom 1 They 
say they must punish us, to deter others from the like, 
and put a stop to such proceedings — but how vain ! Why 
cannot they see that the more they punish, the worse it 
will be for them'? For they will only increase the 
number of " these vile fiends," an hundred fold ! Well, 
if Jesus be with me, I can bear the reproaches and 
insults of man. Confinement will be liberty ; the 
prison, a palace ; stripes, sweet-oil ; hard labor, rest ; 
separation from friends, tolerable ; and death, in forms 
frightful, will be glorious. 

In ourselves, in our friends, in our lawyers, in man, 
there is no help ; " our help is in the name of the Lord." 
" Man's extremity is God's opportunity." 

SENTENCE. 

Sept. 13. Monday morning, we again went before the 
court. After the different instructions were given to the 
judge, and he had charged the jury, that we were guilty, 
&c, they retired a short time, and returned with a verdict 
of " Guilty, and twelve years in the penitentiary." Clap- 
ping of hands, and shouts of " good, good," filled the 
house. Though they had so strongly declared they 
would hang us, if we were sentenced for less than twenty 



80 INTENDED MURDER. 

years, they appeared to be satisfied, when this sentence 
was pronounced. " There," said one, " we've got clear 
of mobbing them !" 

OUR GALLOWS. 

So general was the expectation, that they could do 
nothing with us, by law, that a mob had been organized, 
who had erected our gallows, provided ropes, blacked 
their faces, and were ready to take us at a moment's 
notice, in case w T e were acquitted, and hang us on the 
spot ! Reader, do you believe this 1 It cannot be 
doubted. I have abundant testimony, printed, oral, and 
optical. On this point I shall let the Missourians speak 
for themselves. 

Yes, there were twenty men, at Palmyra and Hannibal, 
who, in the sight of God, were (and if living are), guilty 
of our murder ! They are murderers in the light of 
God's law, and as such, they will be tried and condemned 
at the great tribunal, unless, before that time, they make 
their peace with the Judge. We pity them, we pray 
for them — " Father, forgive them, for they know not 
what they do." 

BILL OF EXCEPTIONS FROM THE COURT RECORDS. 

" And this being all the evidence in the cause, the counsel for the 
prisoners ask the court to instruct the jury as follows : 

" That before they can find the defendants guilty, they must, from 
the evidence in the cause (and from no other source), find the follow- 
ing facts : 

" 1. That the defendants had possession of the slaves. And, to 
constitute a possession in them, of said slaves, the jury must from 
the evidence in the cause, find that the defendants exercised autho- 
rity to restrain the movements of the slaves, or (the slaves being 
present), claimed the right of control, dominion, or authority over 
the will of said slaves. 

" That if they find that the defendants were so possessed of said 
slaves, the jury must also find, from the evidence in the cause, 
that at the time of becoming so possessed of said slaves, it was the 
intention of said defendants, to convert the property in said slaves 
to their own use. If on the contrary the jury shall find from the 
evidence in the cause, that the defendants were in the control of 
said slaves or in the power of said slaves, or that when the defend- 
ants and slaves met and while they remained together, the defend- 



INSTRUCTIONS. Si 

ants claimed no authorit)^ over said slaves, nor exercised any, but 
met the slaves on equal looting, as free men, they ought to find the 
defendants not guilty 

"They ask the court further to instruct the jury, that whether 
Anthony met the defendants, with or without the consent of his 
master, still, to constitute a taking of said slave, by the defendants, 
the said slave must have been in the possession of said defendants, 
as before explained — and that even such possession cannot author- 
ize the jury to find defendants guilty of larceny unless the jury can 
also find from the evidence in the cause, that at the time defendants 
had the intention to convert the property in said slaves, to their own 
use. That a conversion to the use of said defendants cannot be 
made out, by merely showing that the defendants were willing and 
desirous to give aid and assistance to said slave or slaves in crossing 
the Mississippi river, and in pursuing their journey to Canada, but 
that there must be an intention to sell, or hire, or retain said slaves 
for their service, or otherwise to exercise acts of ownership over 
said slaves." 

The record proceeds — " Which instructions the court 
refused, and instructed the jury that the agreement to 
meet the slaves for the purpose of aiding them in ob- 
taining their freedom, and their meeting under that 
agreement constituted a taking ! To which opinion of 
the court, in refusing to grant the instruction asked by 
the counsel, for the prisoners, and deciding that the 
agreement to meet the slaves, constituted a taking, the 
defendants except." 

The attorney for the State moved the court for the 
following instructions : 

State of Missouri, against George Thompson, James Burr, and 
Aianson Work, for larceny. The said State, by her attorney moves 
the court to instruct the jury : 

1. That if they believe from the evidence in this cause, that James 
Burr and Aianson Work did steal, take, and carry away the slaves, 
as charged in the indictment, or any one of them, and George 
Thompson was in any way aiding or abetting as charged in the in- 
dictment, then they must find them all guilty, as charged in the 
second count of said indictment. 

2. That if they, the defendants, Burr and Work had the slaves, 
or anyone of them under their control or government, and while so, 
caused the said slaves to take one step, then the taking and carrying 
away was completed. 

3. That if the defendants fraudulently intended to deprive the 
owners of said slaves, of the property and labor of said slaves, 
and to confer the same on them (the slaves), the defendants 

4* 



82 REFUSED A NEW HEARING. 

or any third person or persons, other than the said owners, 
that is sufficient to make the stealing, taking and carrying 
away, larceny. That if the jury believed there was a taking, it is 
no difference whether the taking was effected by physical, or moral 
force, if the force was sufficient to effect the object intended. 

5. (Erased). 

6. That if the jury find from the evidence in this cause, that the 
defendants, James Burr and Alanson Work attempted to steal, take, 
and carry away the slaves, or any one of them as charged in the 
indictment,* and that George Thompson aided or abetted in such 
attempt, but failed in executing said attempt, then they must find 
them, Burr and Work, guilty of said attempt, and George Thomp- 
son guilty as accessory before the fact of said attempt,"— which (in- 
struction) was given by the court. To which opinion of the court 
in giving the said instructions for the State, the defendants by their 
counsel also excepted. After verdict, the defendants moved in 
writing for a new trial as follows. 

State ' / Indictment for larceny. 

Burr, Work, and Thompson, ) 
The defendants by their counsel, move the court for a new trial. 

1. Because the court refused proper instructions asked by the de- 
fendants. 

2. Because the court gave improper instructions on behalf of the 
plaintiff. 

3. Because the verdict is against evidence. 

4. Because it is against law. 

5. Because the punishment is excessive. 

Glover and Wright, for def'ts. 

Which motion the court also overruled, and the defend- 
ants excepted to the opinion of the court in overruling 
said motion. The defendants then moved in writing to 
arrest the judgment in the case, as follows : 
State, ) 

vs. > Indictment. 

Burr, Work, and Thompson, ) 

The defendants move the court to arrest the judgment in the above 
cause. 

1. Because the declaration is bad. 

2. Because the judgment is for the wrong party. 

Glover and Wright, for def'ts. 

But the court also overruled said motion, and defendants excepted, 

* This is wholly gratuitous and false, for there was no such charge in 
the indictment by w.iich we were tried — the charge was broad stealing 
— the attempt to steal was a separate indictment altogether. 



APPEAL TO THE SUPREME COURT REFUSED. 83 

and prayed that their several exceptions to the opinions and deci- 
sions of the court as aforesaid, might be signed and sealed, and 
made part of the record in the cause. This is done accordingly. 

T . (P. H. McBride, Judge. 

lesie. j p r ucker? clerk. 

(A copy.) 

From the foregoing, the reader will get a pretty 
good idea of the circumstances in the case, as also of the 
flagrant injustice we suffered. The exceptions and in- 
structions of our counsel were contemned, and utterly 
rejected — our appeal for a new hearing refused, and every 
motion in our favor vetoed by the judge. 

We remained in jail until the 17th, when we went out 
to receive our sentence from the Judge. After hearing 
it, we appealed to the Supreme Court of Missouri — and 
obtained a respite of two weeks, while our counsel could 
go to St. Louis, where the court was sitting — but the 
Supreme Judge utterly refused to have anything to do 
with it, and would not allow the appeal. Thus our 
twelve years stared us fairly in the face ; but by the grace 
of God, we were enabled to meet them undaunted and 
unmoved. 

Let me here remark (what the reader must have ob- 
served), that it was evident through the whole of our 
trial and imprisonment, we were not looked upon nor 
considered as common State felons, but as abolitionists. 
It was contended by no one that we intended to steal the 
slaves in the common acceptation of that term. Every 
body acknowledged us as " true blue" abolitionists, who 
desired only the good of the slave. 

NOVEL DECISION. 

During the course of the trial, it was contended and 
decided, that a man on the East bank of the Mississippi 
river, might steal another on the West bank ! It was 
not necessary that he should even see, or speak with the 
slave ; if, by any means, by moral suasion, letter, or 
signs, he helps a slave to freedom, who had of his own 
accord run away from his master, he is guilty of 
grand larceny ! If a man in Quincy lets it be known 



84 STEALING SLAVES WITH SALT. 

that he will help slaves on their way, after they have 
crossed the river — and this information spreads among 
the slaves, so that hundreds take shelter under his roof; 
what is the decision of a court of justice in Missouri'? 
Why, that he stole them all, though he may never have 
seen one of them till they called at his door for help. 
Nay more. If he only sends word into Missouri to one 
slave, and that slave spreads the news to others, that in 
Quincy are friends who will help them — as many as 
will come — they come — others help them on their way 
— he sees or speaks to none of them — what is the deci- 
sion in Missouri, by lawyers, judges, and juries ? Why 
he stole them all! How? pray. "Why he placed 
the salt before them!" " Salt ! salt !— Sheep ! Sheep !" 
is the great hue and cry, for an illustration on this 
subject. 

Hereafter, reader, you shall have more as novel deci- 
sions as this, by Missouri courts of justice. 

our murderers again. 

As this subject is in close connexion with our trial, I 
will close this chapter with testimony on the point. A 
man writing from Palmyra says, " There is a determina- 
tion on the part of the citizens, should they be cleared, 
in consequence of any flaw or technicality in the law, 
not to let them go unpunished. 

" This, I think you may put down as a settled point — 
and I am of the opinion that it would be far better for 
the prisoners to be sent to the penitentiary, than to be 
turned loose here — for there is no telling what scenes 
might be enacted. On one day I heard the above senti- 
ment expressed on several occasions by as respectable 
gentlemen as there are in the county. Suppose, sir, 
that those men had been cleared, could not every man 
in this community have done the same with impunity l 
Most assuredly, and I repeat it — I should deeply deplore 
to see these men loose, in Palmyra, for there is no tell- 
ing what scenes might be enacted." 

I am thankful I can inform the public " what scenes" 
would have been " enacted" had we been cleared. 



OUR MURDERERS — TESTIMONY. 85 

Rev. Win. Beardsley, writing for the Oberlin Evan- 
gelist, says, " We have been assured by respectable 
people in Missouri, that there were many at the court, 
prepared and fully determined, in case they were not 
convicted, to assassinate them on the spot." 

A minister, at the time he wrote, living at St. Louis, 
and acquainted in Palmyra, handed us, in the Peniten- 
tiary, a letter (hereafter to be introduced) in which he 
says, " I believe the Lord overruled the affair for the 
preserving of your lives — for had you been acquitted, 
you all would have certainly been murdered ! The in- 
furiated mob, with their faces all blacked, had prepared 
the gallows, and even the ropes for your execution ! ! 
tell it not in Gath — publish it not in the streets of Aske- 
lon ! 

After we had been in the Penitentiary, nearly four 
years, a man who at the time of our trial (I believe he 
was present) lived in the adjoining county, said to us, 
"To your trial, twenty men came from Hannibal pre- 
pared to hang you in case of an acquittal. When the 
sentence was announced, r magistrate smd to his fellow, 
" There we've got clear of mobbing them !" 

Reader, turn back and read their repeated threats, 
their oaths and curses, and then judge if I speak falsely. 
" Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 

TWELVE YEARS IN THE PENITENTIARY. 

Sept. 13. " Father, not as I will, but as thou wilt." 
" Glorify thy name." 

If that is the field of labor for me— if most for my 
good— if best for my friends — if the cause of Christ 



86 PATIENT IN TRIBULATION. 

needs it — if abolitionists need it to stir them up — if the 
poor slave needs it — if it will be for the best good of the 
world — " if my crown will shine brighter in heaven, my 
song rise higher," and be sweeter — then Amen ! I 
shall be acquitted at the great and supreme tribunal of 
the universe. Then my dear Savior will act as judge, 
and the world will see and acknowledge the justness of 
my cause. Then those who are now my enemies, and 
rejoice and clap their hands at my condemnation, will be 
covered with shame and everlasting confusion, unless 
they repent. Then all things will be set perfectly right, 
and to that court I appeal ! 

I had laid my plans, and was looking forward with 
joyful anticipations to the time when I should stand on 
heathen ground, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus. But 
if these plans were not in accordance with my Savior's, 
let them be frustrated, and his fully carried out. 

I have dear attachments at Mission Institute, but I 
leave them to accomplish my Redeemer's will. I 
have aged parents, dear brothers, sisters, and friends, 
but gladly leave them to follow in the steps of my Cap- 
tain, and of the innumerable company of those who 
have suffered for Jesus' sake. I feel unworthy to be 
thus honored, but am willing my Master should make 
me just such an instrument to roll on his cause, as he 
sees fit. 

Should I be confined twelve years to toil, shut out 
from Christian society and privileges, I will say with 
David, " Though I 'walk through the valley of the 
shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with 
me." Yes, Jesus will be with me there. " He will 
never leave me, nor forsake" me. When I walk through 
the " midst of trouble, He will revive me" — " through 
rivers of sorrow, they shall not overflow me" — through 
the "flame, I shall not be burned," for He is with me. 
" There shall no evil befall" me, for He shall u preserve 
me from all evil." He shall " preserve my soul." 

If I go to Jefferson, I go as innocent a man (as to this 
crime) as ever suffered from the spite and malice of wick- 
ed men. Their own law condemns them, and God's 



SUSTAINED BY GRACE. 87 

law pronounces sentence upon them, unless they re- 
pent. 

Well, let them do their worst, they can't hurt us. 
They cannot give a guilty conscience, nor keep us from 
communion with God, nor shut from our hearts the con- 
solations of the Holy Ghost. They cannot bar heaven 
against us nor take from us the golden harp, nor pluck 
our crowns from our heads. No; still " Blessed is the 
man who trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the 
Lord is." I pity those who would injure me — I pray 
for them — I forgive them, and hope they may find for- 
giveness with God. O for a spirit of greater love to, 
and more hearty forgiveness of enemies. 

The grace of God has sustained me during the trial ; 
my heart has been calm, and my mind composed. At 
the time of the sentence, our minds were unmoved and 
our countenances unchanged. The multitude gazed to 
see us blush and drop our heads, but were disappointed. 
Jesus did not forsake us at that trying time. I felt then, 
and still feel the preciousness of trusting in Christ, of 
leaning upon his arm, and committing all to his care. 

To-day, through the intercession of our counsel we 
received a quire of paper, that we might write letters to 
some of our friends before going to the Penitentiary. 

During much of the time, of those two weeks, we 
were engaged in writing letters — some of which shall 
be soon forthcoming. 

A FREE MAN MOBBED. 

14. This afternoon, Charles (the sleeping preacher), 
went out and was cleared — no prosecutor appearing 
against him, nor indictment found. He started to go 
over with Stephen (a student), but a mob pursued. 

They have long threatened abusing him, when he 
should get out, and no sooner is he clear, than the hu- 
man bloodhounds are in close pursuit ! This is but a 
specimen of the spirit that exists here — that slavery ger- 
minates and fosters. The cause of their hatred to 
Charles, was doubtless his enmity to slavery. Mark ! 
though he was honorably discharged, and had injured no 



©8 MOB LAW. 

one, he could not, with safety, stay there one hour — 
and yet u w T e are opposed to mobs in Marion !" 

MOB IN CINCINNATI. 

Heard, by Stephen, that there has been a mob in Cin- 
cinnati — some killed — property destroyed — and great 
commotion. Our nation appears to be drawing very 
near a crisis. It seems almost ripe for ruin. The suf- 
ferings of the slave, and the blood of the martyrs, cry 
loudly to heaven for vengeance. 

That slavery is soon to fall I have no doubt, but in 
what way, I cannot tell. I fear men will not listen to 
truth, sufficiently to lead them to see and put away the 
evil peaceably ; if they will not, then, by the judgments 
of God they will be compelled to give it up. He can 
easily find means to put away the system ; and may the 
time be hastened. Let God use those means which will 
most glorify Him. These commotions, mobs, concus- 
sions of States, casting honest men into prison, and 
other events cf like character, evince that something 
uncommon, unlooked-for, and that will cause t£ the ears 
of men to tingle," is near. Lord, turn and overturn, 
till the nation and church are thoroughly purified. 

THE BROKEN WILL. 

15. Harry, the shoemaker, is a slave. His old mas- 
ter, at his death, left in his will that Harry should be 
free. But as soon as he was dead, before he was buri- 
ed, his children contrived and destroyed the will, and 
still hold Harry as a slave. 

Such is the case with many. I have heard of num- 
bers ; and there is not an honest, enlightened slave- 
holder, that can deny that such cruel injustice is com- 
mon in the slave states. Nothing is too bad for the spirit 
of slavery to do. 

Albert's first master willed him free at the age of 
twenty-five. Since then he has been sold again and 
again. They have tried their utmost to sell him south, 
so that he could never get the will ; but he is a little too 
smart for them — he knows too much, and doubtless will 



NO CAUSE FOR DESPONDENCY. 89 

get his freedom, by will, or " leg bail." His mind is 
well-filled. This Albert was sold south — ran away — 
was taken up and put in Palmyra jail — was there during 
all our time — learned to write — took lessons on liberty 
— and, shortly after our departure, slipped by the jailer, 
as he came one evening to bring his supper — called, 
with his companion, on our friends — and went safely to 
Victoria's domain. 

UNBELIEF AND FAITH. 

16. At present the way may seem dark to some of 
our friends, and because they cannot see the reason of 
this dispensation, may feel discouraged. Let not this 
be the case with any. There is no cause for being cast 
down. Only believe that God knows and will do what 
is for our best good, and we shall rejoice in all his ways. 

Joseph might have thought his treatment a strange 
providence ; he could have brought up many plausible 
reasons why it would have been better for him to be 
with his father and friends, but he trusted in God. 
Though he could not see, yet he believed and was happy, 
and useful in his prison — in a land of strangers. Had 
he not believed, he would have made himself miserable, 
and perhaps pined away, and sunk into the grave. Un- 
belief banishes peace. 

Behold his father. How very different. He has no 
faith. As soon as a dark cloud arises, he is in trouble 
— puts the worst construction on the providence of God 
— looks at the dark side, murmurs, frets, repines, and 
makes up his mind to u go to the grave mourning." 
He was unhappy — had no peace ; for his unbelief had 
completely shut out peace from his soul. Friends, be- 
lieve, where you cannot see. Rest in God, and you shall 
be kept in " perfect peace," though the earth should pass 
away. 

Though Jacob chafed and vexed himself, yet God 
went forward with his wise and kind purposes. Joseph 
was separated from home and friends for perhaps twen- 
ty years. Jacob, all this time, made himself wretched 
D*y unbelief, when he might have been contented and 



90 UNBELIEF AND FAITH. 

happy, by only exercising confidence in God. But af- 
ter a long time he showed the old father his folly in be- 
ing so concerned and irreconciled. 

Great good was the result of this strange providence 
— not only Jacob and his family but nations saved and 
God glorified ! How much sweeter this blessing w f ould 
have been to Jacob, had he all the time felt a firm con- 
fidence that all w r ould come out for the best. 

Then let not my parents feel and say as did Jacob — 
" An evil beast hath devoured him. George is, without 
doubt, rent in pieces." " I will go down to the grave 
mourning," &c, but let them trust in Go 1 and be quiet. 
Let them feel that He is wiser and more kind than they. 

Let not M. feel as did Martha and Mary of old when 
their brother died — " Lord, if thou hadst. been here my 
brother had not died," — as if their happiness all rested 
on their brother. Here was unbelief. They did not 
acknowledge the hand of God. Because their brother 
died, their hopes were all blasted, and they were filled 
with anxiety and trouble. Let her remember the words 
of the Savior — " Said I not unto thee that if thou 
wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God ?" 
Let none fret and murmur. The glory of God shall be 
seen — therefore let all be satisfied, composed, and trust 
in Jesus. 

Though I go not down to Egypt to feed with tempo- 
ral bread or save the temporal lives of millions, yet, if 
I go to Jefferson, there is no doubt that thousands 
will be delivered from w r orse than Egyptian bondage, 
and fed with spiritual bread, and made to inherit eternal 
life in consequence. More broken hearts than were in 
Jacob's family will be bound up and comforted, — many 
an old mourning father will be made to rejoice upon his 
son's neck, and to say — "Now let me die, since I have 
seen thy face and thou art yet alive." In many a fami- 
ly will there be iC heard music and dancing," because he 
that was as dead has come again, and the lost nas been 
found — of many places shall it be said, " there was great 
joy in that city," because the oppressor's arm has been 
broken, and liberty to all proclaimed through the land. 



NOT AFRAID TO GO TO PENITENTIARY. 91 

Shall I then fear to go down to Egypt ? (Jefferson?) 
No! No ! " Lord, here am I, send me." 



" Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." How 
shall this be applied to the slave? If many can be re- 
leased from their sufferings for years, by my taking, as 
it were, their place, then does not this principle require 
me to do it cheerfully 1 At any rate I am willing to 
wear the chain — endure the frowns and threats — per- 
form the toil, and suffer the smartings of the lash, if 
this will ease them of their burden. 

Although going to the penitentiary is not exactly tak- 
ing the slave's place, yet it is suffering with him, and 
for him, and will shorten the time of his bondage. If 
in this way, more than in any other, I can labor effectu- 
ally to break his chain, then 'let Jesus take me, use me 
in his own way, help me to " gird up the loins of my 
mind," that I may bear up manfully under all.* 

THE LAST VIEW. 

After our sentence, many of our beloved associates 
hastened, day after day, to take their last view of us in 
this world. Load after load came and gave us the part- 
ing hand, the farewell look, and the affectionate bene- 
diction. The clank of our chain, and the united voices, 
of those kindred and dear, made music sweet, while 
they in the street, and we in our dungeon, together 
praised the Lord, and sought his blessing and protection. 
0, precious seasons ! 

As I write, my mind recalls the names of many who 
then beheld us for the last time. One, and another, and 
another, were soon called to their rest. Our beloved 
Moses has gone ; good old David walks in white ; Isaac 
and Samuel are no more ; Brother Francis is with Jesus ; 
Rebecca has long sung with the angels ; little Ellen 
( Alanson's youngest child) , quickly pined away and 



same 



* Though my journal was written as expressive of my own particular 
feelings and views, it is believed it as heartily expresses the feelings of 
the other brethren as my own. 



92 THE ILLINOIS AND MISSOURI CLERGYMEN. 

into the grave, sorrowing for her father; — while many- 
have been wafted to distant nations, to proclaim the glad 
tidings of salvation. 

Though bars of iron prevented our near approach, our 
spirits rejoiced in secret fellowship, while we anticipated 
the happy meeting above, where foes can never more 
approach. 

On the 18th of Sept., Mrs. Work with all her family 
made a visit to the Jail — came in — and while the little 
ones embraced their father, and each bade him farewell, 
O ! where is the heart that would not melt 1 Yet Palmy- 
rians could look upon the scene unmoved. Slavery is 
very familiar with seeing parents torn from their chil- 
dren, and families sundered. Such things are common, 
every-day occurrences, and not regarded. 

I believe Mrs. Work came once more, before we left 
— some came still later, but for the last week of our time 
there, no one came — having heard that we were gone. 
Expecting every day that some one would be over, we 
wrote many things both in the way of journal and letters, 
expecting an opportunity to send them by our friends ; 
but no friends came, and they all fell into the hands of 
the enemy, and most probably were committed to the 
flames. Our books, watch, &c, after a long time, were 
given up. 

Before our trial, a minister, Brother B., from Illinois, 
came to see and converse with us, but was not allowed 
to come in. We spoke a few words through the grates. 

On the 17th, Horatio Foote came to see us, but was 
denied the privilege. He went to the sheriff: u No." 
He went to the circuit judge : " No admittance." And 
he went home, without seeing or speaking to us. 

In a religious town, and yet a prisoner not allowed to 
converse with a gospel minister, nor receive from him a 
word of counsel and consolation. Now mark. On the 
very next day, two men [Missourians], were allowed to 
come and talk with us, in defence of slavery ; while he 
who wished to enquire after our souls' welfare was ex- 
cluded. One of the two was formerly a methodist 
minister, but is now an editor, and probably came in to 



THE CLERGYMAN CONFOUNDED. 93 

talk with us, that he might have something to attract 
notice in the columns of his paper. 

The following is the substance of our conversation : 
" What are your feelings under your trials ?" u We 
are perfectly resigned, contented, and happy." " Do 
you think your conduct was right V "Perfectly so." 
" By what rule was it justifiable I" " By the commands 
of the Bible, and the whole spirit of the gospel." 
" Will you please state more definitely V " Love thy 
neighbor as thyself," — " As ye would that men should 
do to you, do ye even so to them," — " Do good unto all 
men," &c. " What do you think of Philemon's case?' 
" There is no difficulty in that, for Onesimus was Phile- 
mon's own brother, and not a slave." On this he argued 
some time, " I have been accustomed to believe that 
Onesimus was a runaway slave, and that Paul sent him 
back to his master." " All very natural, sir, but read 
the chapter, and see what it says (v. 16), ' Not now as a 
servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially 
to me — but how much more to thee, both in the flesh, 
and. in the Lord V Sir, the phrase ' in the flesh,' can 
mean nothing more nor less than an own brother. 
Read again (v. 18), 'If he hath wronged thee, or oweth 
thee aught,' &c. Can a slave owe his master ? The 
probability is, sir, that he was a younger brother, bound 
out to his older brother, Philemon." It was a new idea 
to him altogether, and he was taken in a way he was not 
expecting — was confused, and could not say much ; for 
there it was, right before his eyes ; deny it he could not. 
Perhaps he had read the chapter hundreds of times, and 
preached from it frequently to slaves, and others ; yet 
slavery had so blinded his eyes, he never had seen the 
plainest undeniable meaning. He had been looking for 
something with which to bolster up slavery and not for 
the simple truth — and is not this the case with the 
majority of slaveholding ministers? 

OUR CHAIN AGAIN. 

Sept. 18. Before dark they came and put us in chains 
again, not the old one, but one not quite so large. It 



94 CATHOLICISM AND SLAVERY. 

was a large ox chain. One of us at each end, and James 
in the middle, about five feet apart. — This is the one 
they expect us to wear to Jefferson. What their object 
can be I know not, unless it is to spite and harass us all 
they can, while they have the power; for surely they 
cannot feel that there is any danger of our getting away, 
and they must know that we have no disposition so to 
do. This is by the sheriff's orders, a professed brother 
in Christ ! 

Remonstrance was in vain, nor had he courage to 
come and speak with us, but sent word, " It must be 
done." Is it uncharitable to say, u And Felix willing 
to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound V 9 But I 
will bear it patiently, for heaven will be the sweeter for 
the trials of earth. We have been free from our chain 
eight and a half days. 



I very much fear that much of the religion of the 
slaveholders is like the religion of Bishop Bonner and 
the Catholic clergy in the times of the persecutions, 
about the year 1500. Then, if a man called the Pope 
Anti-Christ, &c, he was at once, without judge or jury, 
condemned as a heretic, and not fit to live. So now, if 
a man go into a slave state, and open his mouth against 
the awful abominations practised — if he " cry aloud and 
spare not," or if he even drop a word or remark in favor 
of abolition — if he does not uphold their " domestic in- 
stitutions" — if it is seen that he is against slavery — why 
then, no matter what his character may be, though ever 
so meek, humble, inoffensive, and devoted to doing 
good, he is denounced as unworthy to live, — mobbed 
and killed, imprisoned or driven from the state. The 
more holy the man, the fiercer their rage. 

There certainly is a great similarity in the fruits of 
the two religions — whether they are the same religion, 
the Lord be Judge. 



THE DAY OF ADVERSITY. 95 

TRUSTING IN GOD. 

Sept. 19. " Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall 
be safe ;" and again, " shall be made fat." 

Situated as we are — in chains — among enemies who 
devise our hurt ; separated from dear friends, and denied 
the privileges of God's house — watched with an eagle- 
eye — reproached and reviled — not knowing what a day 
may bring forth— expecting, in chains, to be hastened 
to the confinement of a penitentiary, under the care and 
treatment of whom we know not — there, for years, to be 
shut out from all religious society ; perhaps to be denied 
even speaking or writing to our friends ; excluded from 
religious privileges ; in speechless toil to spend the day 
under a driver, and by night alone with Jesus — thus situ- 
ated it is beyond utterance blessed, sweet, and glorious, 
to commit ourselves and cause into the hands of our 
faithful Redeemer. It gives a peace " the world cannot 
take away" — a " joy unspeakable and full of glory." 

20. " If thou faint in the day of adversity thy 
strength is small." — Prov. xxiv. 10. That my strength 
is small I am conscious ; yet I trust the grace of Christ 
will so strengthen me, that I shall not " faint." For he 
has said, if I " wait on him with good courage," He 
" will strengthen my heart." I have waited on Him 
and have not fainted. I will wait upon Him, and trust 
I shall not faint. His promise is sure. 

O ! that none of my friends may faint, but trust in the 
Lord in adversity as well as in prosperity — yea, we 
hardly know whether we do really trust in Him till ad- 
versity tries our faith. We should then be thankful for 
circumstances which put our faith and principle to a test. 
They show us what we are — teach us ourselves — bring 
out our real hearts. Adversity is calculated to promote 
in us unfeigned humility ; to increase our dependence 
on God — our patience, love, faith; and to separate us 
from the world and all creature objects. It shows us 
who are our true friends ; for 

" The friends who in our sunshine live, 

When winter comes, are flown ; 

And he who has but tears to give, 

Must weep those tears alone/' 



96 THE DAY OF JUDGMENT GOOD. 

It teaches us to be thankful for prosperity ; we learn 
the worth of it ; and when restored again to health, 
friends, and comforts, we shall prize and improve them. 
Thus sickness teaches us the worth of health — losses 
and destitution, the value of possession — bereavements, 
the greatness of the blessing of friends, parents, hus- 
band, wife, and children — persecution, the blessedness 
of peace and quietness — and by imprisonment, we learn 
the importance of liberty. 

Such being the beneficial results of adversity, shall 
we shrink back from its approach ? Oh ! no ; for " bless- 
ed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is 
tried he shall receive a crown of life." 

I welcome, then, the piercing blast, 
For Oh ! though sharp, 'twill soon be past, 
And swiftly waft me homeward too: 
Let tempests blow and billows roll, 
My Captain will their rage control, 
And He will bear me safely through. 

I welcome dungeons, pain, and shame, 

Yea, welcome death, for Jesus's name. 

If I may reach his blest abode, 

In tribulation I'll rejoice, 

In persecution tune my voice, 

And glory in the path He trod. 

Moreover, adversity not only teaches us, as nothing 
else can, the preciousness and worth of the promises, 
but gives us a claim to them, bringing us into circum- 
stances for which they w T ere especially provided, and to 
which particularly adapted. Says Meikle — " He that 
suffers under the greatest load of afflictions, has a right 
to the greatest number of promises : and whenever he 
loses another enjoyment, he has a right to another pro- 
mise, which makes up that loss with a redundancy of 
goodness." But I need not enlarge. The whole tenor 
of the Bible teaches us that adversity is profitable if 
rightly improved — sent in love, and only designed to 
" do us good in the latter end," and " make us partakers 
of his holiness." 

The universal testimony of the saints is that their 
most afflictive days have been their best days. They all 



97 

smg, it is good to be afflicted, — sweet affliction, thai 
brings Jesus to my soul. 

LETTER FROM ALANSON, BEFORE STARTING FOR JEF- 
FERSON. 

Brother Turner : — 

You expressed the opinion that we did not rea- 
lize what it is to go to the penitentiary, or that we looked 
upon it in too light a manner. Thinking it may help me 
to endure with patience whatever awaits me, and be a 
satisfaction to you and the dear friends, who have mani- 
fested their kind feelings to us while here, I have con- 
cluded to give you a brief history of my feelings, that 
you may be the better able to judge of my preparation 
to go to the penitentiary. 

When I started on the expedition that has brought me 
here, I felt confident that it was right, yea, and duty, to 
help those who want help. This confidence has given 
me a quiet conscience at all times. When we first fell 
into the hands of our enemies, and they, with their guns 
at our breasts, threatened to shoot us if we stirred ; 
when they had us in their power, and Brown stepped 
back and said he would shoot me anyhow, I felt startled. 
And when I came to realize my condition and the pros- 
pect before me ; not knowing what to expect — hearing 
the threats of those who had us in their power, some of 
whom were for hanging, some for shooting ; some for 
one thing and some for another ; when these prospects 
flashed across my mind, my condition appeared dreadful. 
And then my family ! — my wife forty miles from home 
— my little children alone, waiting in anxious suspense 
the return of their father — all came pressing on my 
mind with such force, that for the first week I was 
unhappy. 

The thought that I might, if acquitted, fall into the 
hands of the mob, my body be whipped to a gore of 
blood, or my life be taken away by this or some other 
means, at times made me tremble. But fee ; ng conscious 
that my motive was " to do to others as 1 would they 
should do to me," I continued to commit myself and 

& 



98 alansun's feelings. 

famLy to God, in fervent prayer, feeling that He was my 
only hope. 

Our friends furnished us with books. In these I found 
food and strength. In studying the Bible, I found it u a 
lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." In it I learned 
that the " Captain of our salvation was made perfect 
through suffering ;" and that if we "would reign with 
Him, we must also suffer with Him." These and kin- 
dred passages, together with the account of the sufferings 
of Christians, as given in the Book of Martyrs, recon- 
ciled me to my u light afflictions." When I heard my 
Savior saying, " Let not your heart be troubled, neither 
let it be afraid ;'? when I heard the word of God in 
almost every chapter — " Fear not," " Be not dismayed," 
" I will be with you," " I will help you," " Not a hair 
of your head shall perish, and nothing shall by any 
means hurt you," u When thou passest through the 
waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they 
shall not overflow thee," " When thou walkest through 
the fire thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame 
kindle upon thee," &c, my fears were allayed. And 
when I read xMahan's Christian Perfection, and saw the 
full redemption there is in Christ — how He has made the 
fullest provision for all our necessities of body and soul, 
for time and for eternity, that infinite love and wisdom 
could devise — when I saw that infinite faithfulness was 
pledged to fulfil the " exceeding great and precious pro- 
mises" to every one believing in them, and when I could 
plead these promises with confidence, I felt my strength 
renewed, and my mind girded to meet the conflict. 

I committed myself to the Lord, and prayed that He 
would deliver me out of the hands of my enemies, or 
that He would allow them to triumph by sending me to 
the penitentiary, or to wreak their vengeance by taking 
my life, or in any other way that would glorify his name, 
and most benefit the slave. With these feelings t 
went before the court, and was " not greatly moved" 
during the trial, as the prospect appeared for or against 
us. 

When the jury gave their verdict, and all eyes were 



FEELINGS. 99 

turned upon us, to see the effect, by the grace of God, I 
looked them in the face with composure. 

And now, if it is my Heavenly Father's will that I 
should go to the penitentiary and labor for twelve years, 
separated from my family, from his ordinances, and 
people, I know that He has wise reasons — some pur- 
poses of mercy to accomplish ; and as He has hitherto 
given me strength according to my day, I feel that I can 
trust Him for the future, and that He will prepare me to 
endure to the end, or open the prison door, in his own 
time and w T ay. Now, dear brother, is my confidence 
misplaced'? Have I any reason to murmur, be cast 
down, or to fear what man will do to mel I trust that 
you, and all who sigh and pray, and labor for the slave, 
will answer, no. 

I learn that my condition, on account of my family, 
excites sympathy even in the hard heart of the op- 
pressor. But why should it 1 They can see the slave 
separated from his family, and all the ties of nature sun- 
dered in respect to him, without one feeling of compas- 
sion. Let them first learn to show pity at home, and I 
shall need none. I now feel my interest, my life, my 
liberty, my all, identified with those of the slave. I de- 
sign to search for some pillar on which slavery rests, and 
through the prayers of God's people, hope to be endued 
with power from on high to lay hold of it, and if I per- 
ish, perish Sampson like. A. Work. 

Doubtless the foregoing letter will be read with inte- 
rest by every reader. 

I regret that henceforth, our history, feelings, &c, 
must be drawn chiefly from my own writings. The 
journal for all, was kept by myself. Each of us wrote 
letters frequently, yet these are for the most part lost, 
and many of my own I have not been able to get, so 
that the history will necessarily be incomplete. How 
ever I trus* it will not be unprofitable. 



100 LETTER TO MY FRIENDS, AFTER TRIAL. 

Palmyra Jail, Sept. 14, '41. 
Dear Parents, Brothers, and Sisters : 

" I suppose you have had many anxious thoughts 
about me, since you heard of my confinement in this 
jail. Let me say, dismiss your anxiety, your carefulness, 
and your fears. All is well, Yesterday, our trial 
closed, with a verdict of guilty, and twelve years in the 
penitentiary. Be not troubled. ' The Lord reigns.' 
Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right 1" Yes, I 
am satisfied with his dealings with me. Be assured that 
the things whereof I am accused, are not true. 

They have tried but failed to prove them, and passed 
sentence contrary to their own laws, though in perfect 
accordance with their prejudices and their malice. I go 
to Jefferson, remembering that I am but treading in the 
steps of my Captain, and of an innumerable company of 
saints who have been persecuted and killed for doinggood. 
I go with cheerfulness, to be a partaker of the slaves' 
sufferings, and to " fill up that which remaineth of the 
sufferings of Christ." I go, feeling that I have done 
right. In view of these things the Penitentiary seems 
a sweet place — the toil, rest — the confinement, liberty 
— the years, a few days — the disgrace, a great honor. 
My spirit they cannot confine, my thoughts they cannot 
chain. They shall soar on high, and dwell in the celes- 
tial region : I shall lack no good thing. If my plans are 
all to be frustrated, Amen. I will not love my parents, 
brothers, sisters, plans, attachments, more than my Sa- 
vior ; but gladly leave them all, to fulfil his most blessed 
will. My sentence is twelve years, but we do not ex- 
pect to remain that length of time — if nothing else can 
be done, slavery will probably cease before that time, and 
then we shall come out. 

I enjoin upon every one to plead the cause of the 
poor slave — to u cry aloud, and spare not," to exert 
yourselves to the utmost, to deliver the poor, and speed 
on the day of universal liberty. 

Not one Christian in Palmyra has been to converse 
with us, as a Christian. Our friends at Quincy and 



LETTER TO THE OBERLIN EVANGELIST. 101 

Mission Institute, have been very kind ; they have 
spared no pains nor effort, to make us comfortable and 
happy. Since we have been here, unceasing prayer 
has been offered by multitudes, that God would glorify 
his name. The time spent here has been very precious. 
We have had a prayer meeting, night and morning — 
and on the Sabbath, usually two sermons. I shall ever 
look back to these days with pleasure, 

George. 
Of the previous and following letter, I give merely 
extracts, as much of the sentiment is similar to that ex- 
pressed in Alanson's letter, and in my journal. 

LETTER TO THE OBERLIN EVANGELIST. 

Palmyra Jail, Sept. 15, 1841. 
Dear Brother : 

It no doubt seems strange to you, to see me date 
my letter as above, and strange it would be had not our Sa- 
vior, more than eighteen hundred years ago said, " Be- 
hold the Devil shall cast some of you into 'prison, and 
ye shall be tried" and did we not remember that the 
apostles, and thousands of the ancient Christians, were 
cast into prison " for the name of Jesus," and " for con- 
science toward God." Remembering these things, it 
is not strange, that the devil should even now cast God's 
" little ones" into prison. We are told " It is through 
much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of 
God," and " all who will live godly in Christ Jesus, 
shall suffer persecution" yea, the time cometh, that 
whosoever killeth you, will think that he doeth God 
service." 

I am not at all astonished to see days of persecution 
commence. I have expected them. I have felt that 
they would come, before the poor slave could be deli- 
vered : and that some must make up their minds to be 
sacrificed upon the altar of slavery, and if I am thus to 
be sacrificed, I submit cheerfully, rejoicing that I am 
counted w T orthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. 

I am happy. I never expect to lookback to any por- 



102 TRIUMPHANT SUFFERING. 

tion of my past life with greater joy and satisfaction, 
than upon the time spent in the chain. The Savior has 
been our constant companion, to whom we have had 
great delight in approaching. He has poured into our 
souls the consolations of his grace. His love has cast 
out fear, and our souls have been kept in peace. 

If I am to labor for years in prison to satisfy the spite 
of blood-thirsty men, be it known that I go gladly and 
triumphantly, knowing that truth will prevail, and great 
shall be the good resulting. May thousands arise in my 
stead — the cause roll on with power, and the Lord arise, 
and cut short the work in righteousness. 
For the truth and the slave, 

Yours truly, 

Geo. Thompson. 

the slaveholder's plan. 

Sept. 20. This afternoon a slaveholder came to the 
window, and wished to know how we felt. He expect- 
ed to find us cast down and sorrowful, but w T as much dis- 
appointed and amazed, when he found us cheerful and 
contented, in view of twelve years in the Penitentiary. 

Said Alanson to him, " I expect that every stroke I 
strike there, will be knocking down your goddess. The 
man replied, cl I think not, but perhaps you may do the 
State some good by your labor ; I confess that slavery 
is wrong — that it is an evil, and should be done away, 
by enlightening the mind, and getting legislators to 
enact laws against it." Granted. But how are your 
minds to be " enlightened V Already, you have laws 
against a word being spoken, or a book circulated, on 
the subject ! If a man dares to open his mouth he is 
mobbed and abused. You have closed your eyes, stop- 
ped your ears, fortified your hearts, and seared your 
consciences against every approach of light on the sub- 
ject, and how are your minds to be enlightened. 

The man thought he could show us a better way, to 
do away the evil, than helping slaves away from their 
masters, but he soon saw that there was no hope in his 
way of operating, confessed his ignorance of the Bible, 



HOW ENLIGHTEN THE MIND l 103 

and that he did not govern himself by that book. Un- 
doubtedly this is the case generally, with slaveholders, 
and the supporters of the system — they are ignorant of 
the Bible. 

THE ACCUSATION LOOK AT IT. 

Sept. 21. Slaveholders accuse abolitionists of entic- 
ing their slaves to run away — of exciting them to re- 
bellion, &c, — mob them for their principles, imprison, 
kill them, and pass laws to prevent their speaking or 
circulating their pamphlets on the subject ; and yet 
come out and declare publicly in their paper (Missouri 
Courier), and even in this time of great excitement, 
that the " notions of these fanatics only tend to rivet 
still closer the chains of servitude upon our slaves — they 
are doing more than any other class to fasten the chain 
on the African slaves," &c. What logic ! How alarmed 
lest they cannot get the slaves off their hands ! How 
they groan to be delivered from the burden I Oh, what 
hollo w-heartedness ! 

The whole community thrown into an uproar and 
consternation, because three abolitionists are among them, 
and yet they are only tightening the chains of the slave ! 
Are they indeed so anxious to get rid of slavery 1 Do 
they so ardently desire to have every chain broken, that 
they so dread the presence of an abolitionist, lest he 
should retard the day of liberty 1 Ah, no. If they de- 
sire the continuance of slavery, and these fanatics are 
doing so much to rivet the chain, surely they should 
rather court their presence, and thank them for their 
assistance in holding the slave. Such is the true speci- 
men of the logic of slaveholders and supporters. What 
nonsense. 

ABROGATION OF GOD J S LAW. 

Sept. 22. How true are the words of David. Ps. 
119, 126, " It is time for Thee, Lord, to work, for they 
have made void thy law." Surely slaveholders have 
so done. They have not only been careless and indif- 
ferent towards it, as is the case with many wicked men 



104 ABROGATION OF GOD's LAW. 

— do not care whether it is obeyed or not ; but they 
have made it " void,-' as to the government of their ac- 
tions — it is of no force or account in managing slaves. 
They have, as it were, done it aivay, and enacted in its 
stead, those coinciding with their lusts, and base pas- 
sions — laws which encourage and reward wickedness 
— discountenance and forbid mercy, truth, and righteous- 
ness. All the multiplied and awful warnings, and 
alarming denunciations against oppression, are entirely 
disregarded, and laws directly opposite enacted in their 
stead ! 

God says, " Go preach the gospel to every creature." 
They forbid its being preached at all, to more than half 
their population ; and forbid the preaching of the ivhole 
gospel to any! God says " Teach your children." 
They forbid and make it a penal offence to do it. God 
says, " Let every man have his own wife." They for- 
bid it. "What God hath joined together let not man 
put asunder." The law is universally disregarded. " Do 
good unto all men." They won't allow it. " As ye 
would that men should do to you, do ye even so to 
them." For doing thus we are here in prison. " Love 
your neighbor as yourself." Because we did, we are 
sentenced for twelve years to the Penitentiary. " Be 
merciful." Because we were, the country is in array 
against us, and would destroy us. " Deal justly — love 
mercy." Justice is a mere name among them, and their 
mercy is cruel as the grave." " Judge the fatherless, 
plead for the widow." They condemn and tread them 
down, and persecute those who do plead for them. 
God made man in his own image. They, bylaw, make 
them brutes, property, chattels. " We ought to obey 
God rather than men." They tell us, " God's law is of 
no account here — you better just let that alone, and 
think of the laws of Missouri." We tell them, " the 
Bible forbids such and such things." " Well, well," 
say they, " the laws of our land and the Constitution of 
the United States grant us such privileges. God's law 
is not our rule." 

And so in almost every thing have they made void 



THE SLAVES WILL NOT RUN AWAY. 105 

God's holy law. They have legislated it away — it comes 
not into their code. It is quite obsolete. 

Surely, Lord, it is time for Thee to work." They 
profess to love Thee, and to regard Thy word — it is a 
professedly Christian community, and yet behold how 
they insult, reproach, and mock at Thy law. u What 
will become of Thy great name," if they are thus suf- 
fered to triumph 1 O, arise, and come forth, for the 
vindication of Thy honor, the establishing of Thy law, 
and making it honorable. Let thy right hand be exalted, 
and the glory of Thy name be greatly magnified. De- 
fend Thy little ones, and save those who put their trust 
in Thee. 

Reader, you are well aware that the above sketch is 
very incomplete — that " the half has not been told" you. 
The list may be extended almost indefinitely ! Truly 
God's law is " made void." 

" The slaves are contented and happy, and could not 
be hired to run away !" So say slaveholders to aboli- 
tionists. But what is their testimony in a crowded 
court house, when trying to condemn three abolitionists'? 
The State's attorney compared slaves to sheep, and lib- 
erty to salt. Said he, " they would as readily follow a 
man who held out liberty before them, as sheep would 
follow a man who gave them salt." And who does not 
know the readiness of sheep to follow salt, and the 
strength of their appetite for it 1 

Thomas Anderson, a lawyer and slaveholder, testified, 
" It is only necessary to give them any hope of liberty, 
and they are ready to escape. They love liberty more 
than sheep love salt," &c. Glover testified to their love 
of liberty, and how they often show this love by trying 
the fleetness of their feet. Wright, a lawyer and 
slaveholder, contended that they were men — were ra- 
tional and immortal beings — that the love of liberty was, 
by the Deity, implanted in their hearts, and could not 
be got out ; and many other such things which I do not 
now call to mind. 

If the slaves do not love liberty, then why so much effort 
to keep them down 1 — why such severe laws, and pun- 

5* 



106 LETTERS TO A FRIEND. 

ishments against them, to keep them from running away 1 
Why so much terror, alarm, excitement, and rage, be- 
cause an abolitionist is found on this side of the river % 
Ah ! they are afraid the slaves will hear a word about 
liberty and Canada, and that then it will be impossible 
to keep them. Their only way to hold them, is to keep 
them in the darkest ignorance, and this is done by legis- 
lation. 

Why are we sentenced for twelve years to the peniten- 
tiary 1 Because the slave loves liberty. Why so many 
advertisements and rewards in the papers — so much 
effort and pains to find the slaves ? If they do not love 
liberty, surely they will come back. Why are slave- 
holding cities filled with patrols by night 1 And why 
cannot slaveholders sleep at night ? Ah, the slave 
loves liberty, and they know it ! Don't love liberty ! 
What a libel on human reason and common sense. 
Their own mouths, conduct, spirit, laws, condemn them, 
and proclaim to the world that the slave does love lib- 
erty? 

The remainder of my jail journal probably fell a vic- 
tim to Palmyra flames. The above is the last record 
that I have been able to find. A few extracts of letters 
will close the first division of this work. I insert them 
because I think they will do good. 

TO A FRIEND. 

I am satisfied with God's dealings thus far, and ever 
expect to be with all his providences. I have " rolled 
my burden upon the Lord, and He has sustained" me. 
While the trial was advancing, and when the jury were 
out, I waited to hear the will of my Savior, and when 
known, how should I feel but resigned, composed, and 
satisfied ? — and what do but rejoice in that will 1 I do, 
yea, and I will rejoice. Let me lose sight of myself, 
and look to the general good. 

What are twelve years' labor, compared with the im- 
prisonment and torture of ancient Christians ? What, 
compared with the life of toil, and suffering of the poor 
slave 1 Shall I hesitate to suffer with them 1 Ah no. 



THE LIGHT AFFLICTION. 107 

The way not to be dejected and discouraged, is to 
look at the* promises, the end of life, the good to be ac- 
complished ; and not to ourselves and selfish interests. 
Forget these. 

to The same. 

True, we are under sentence of twelve years in the 
penitentiary, but what of this ! Surely, it will not hurt 
us ; it will only purify and better prepare us for our 
htavenly abode. 

We feel that our separation is an affliction, but must 
we not call it a "light affliction?" Comparing it with 
what Jesus suffered for us — the apostles, and primitive 
saints, for the name of Christ — with what the poor slave 
suffers — with whp.t we deserve — can we call it more than 
a very " light affliction V Surely we cannot. _ But how 
shall* we conduct ourselves under these afflictions. Paul 
tells ; 2 Cor. iv. 18 : Look not at ourselves, our suffer- 
ings, and our prospects ; but at " Jesus, who endured 
such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest we be 
wearied, and faint in our minds." Look at his suffer- 
ings, and his conduct under them. Look at his pro- 
mises — their faithfulness, richness, fulness, all-suffi- 
ciency ; look at heavenly and divine things — the mansion, 
the crown, the harp, the white robe, the innumerable 
company, the Lamb. Looking at these things we 
shall forget our sufferings, and be filled with peace 
and joy, substantial, soul-reviving, satisfying, and 
eternal. Ro7n. viii. 18. But looking at, and dwell- 
ing on the things " seen," our troubles, &c, we 
shall forget the promises, Jesus, and the glory pre- 
pared for us; and be earthly, fretful, unhappy— be- 
cause the things " seen are temporal," and cannot furnish 
that enduring food for the soul, which the " things un- 
seen and eternal" afford. Well, what are the consequen- 
ces of thus conducting ourselves under these " light af- 
flictions?" Why, they will seem, as they really are, 
" but for a moment," and shall " work for us a far more 
exceeding and eternal weight of glory." See how Paul 
labors to get words to express the fulness of his soul. 



108 SPIRITUAL LIGHT IN DARKNESS. 

There is also a sweet promise in Ecc. viii. 12, " It shall 
be well with them who fear God." Believing this will 
give us peace and joy in all possible adverse circumstan- 
ces. Can we not fully trust our Savior's word ? 

We need not fear being crushed, or killed by the rod, 
so long as we lean on Jesus. Knowing that the rod is 
applied in love, by our Father, let us not faint, but em- 
brace and kiss the rod, which shall make us " partakers 
of his holiness." 

May some afflicted soul profit by these hints. 

The following is considered important for every 
Christian to understand and feel. Because this idea is 
not understood and felt, is the cause of nearly or quite 
all the baneful influences arising from broken plans, 
disappointed hopes, &c. 

TO THE SAME. 

How often have we prayed that God would make us 
useful in the world, to the greatest extent of our pow- 
ers. We have said that this is all for which we desire to 
live. We profess to desire the glory of God more than 
anything else. This is all right. And have we not 
given ourselves up to Jesus, to direct and do with us just 
as He sees best ? Is not He wise ? And does He not. 
know perfectly all our abilities, and qualifications, and 
circumstances'? Does He not understand fully, just 
where we are calculated to labor with the greatest suc- 
cess ; and where it will be most for our good, the good 
of our friends, and most for his glory? Then, if we 
have given ourselves up to Him, to dispose of, and use 
for his glory and the greatest good of mankind, let us 
fully believe in our souls, that He will place us just 
where we are most needed, where we ' shall be 
most useful, and where we shall most honor and 
glorify his name. If we have no will of our own, 
we shall be perfectly satisfied with all the will and dis- 
pensations of our Savior, in whom we repose implicit 
confidence. We shall rejoice to go just where He sends, 
do what He assigns, and suffer what He lays on us ; 
not doubting, for one moment, that we are in just the 



DELIGHT IX TllK WILL OF GOD. 109 

circumstances where we shall accomplish the most for 
our Redeemer. 

Though He may place us in circumstances that seem 
adverse, and dark clouds gather around as — though we 
cannot see how good will result, yet, let our confidence 
in his wisdom and faithfulness be unshaken, feeling as- 
sured that He will bring it out just right — and just as we 
would have it, did we know all the circumstances and 
results as He knows them. 

Forget ourselves, our interests, our plans, and rejoice 
to let Christ take and make us instruments to carry on 
his plans and interests, in his own way. Be perfectly 
swallowed up in God's will — ready for anything. This 
will give a quietness, peace, and joy, that nothing else 
will. And let me assure you, this quietness, peace, and 
joy, I feel in my soul in view of all that is before me. 
It banishes anxiety and all uneasiness, while I patiently 
wait for, and desire only God's will to be done. I have 
an unshaken confidence that He will do Ct all things 
wellP With these feelings, it is out of the power of 
earth and hell, combined, to make me unhappy. If the 
greatest good will result (and can we doubt it) ? by our 
suffering, our long imprisonment, why then, our desire 
is accomplished — our request granted, and why not re- 
joice % Is it for us to say, in what way we will be use- 
ful ? We are in the Savior's employ — let Him direct, 
and we will sing, 

"Only thou our leader be, 
And we still will follow thee." 

I have not a doubt, that if the Lord sends me to the 
penitentiary, more will be accomplished, than could 
possibly, by me, in any other way. 

My Savior calls, and I rejoice to obey. Keep close 
to Him, and He will keep close to you. George. 

letter of introduction. 
To the Warden of Missouri Penitentiary, Jefferson City. 

Palmyra, Sept. 20, 1841. 
Dear Sir :— This will be handed to you by Messrs. 



110 LETTER OF INTRODUCTION. 

Work, Burr, and Thompson, who have been confined in 
the jail of this place, for some months, on a charge of 
taking some slaves, with intent to set them at liberty — 
on which charge they have been convicted, and sentenced 
to twelve years' imprisonment under your care. 

They have solicited me to say to you, what is their 
true character and standing. I can say that I have 
known them only since they came to Palmyra jail, and 
in the relation of counsel, who defended them on their 
trial. 

That they have sustained a good reputation heretofore, 
I have no doubt, from all I can learn. I am of the 
opinion that they are conscientious men, and mean to do 
right, according to their views of right. I think, sir, 
they would be incapable of stealing, in the common ac- 
ceptation of that term — and what they have done, has 
been induced by mistaken opinions of duty in regard to 
the subject of slavery — they being practically and em- 
phatically abolitionists. They having requested, I 
could not withhold from persons situated as they are, a 
statement of what I have been satisfactorily induced to 
believe, was and is their true character. 

With great respect, I am sir, 

Your most obedient servant, 

S. T. Glover. 

The jailer also wrote a letter to the Warden, com- 
mending our good conduct while with him, approving of 
our character, &c. 

The Judge also wrote to the Warden, stating that he 
believed us honest, conscientious men, who meant to do 
right in what we did — and he believed if we were at 
liberty, would do the same again. He thought we should 
not be treated as common felons, as other prisoners, but 
more leniently, &c. And yet this same Judge was a 
wicked man, and so prejudiced, and hard-hearted, that 
he did all he could to convict us. No thanks to him for 
thus recommending us to the Warden, for the Lord 
pressed it out of him. 

After our trial, a committee was appointed at a public 



QUINCY COMMITTEE. Ill 

meeting in Quincy, to collect and publish all the circum- 
stances in the case. They did so. A pamphlet of 
thirty-seven pages, one thousand copies, was published. 
A few remarks from that work, and I close this 
chapter. 

They say — "That they are honest men, all who have 
been acquainted with them will testify. We believe 
them incapable of a departure from what they deem a 
course of integrity and honor. We know the men — 
have witnessed their correct course of life, and the close- 
ness of their walk with God. 

" They have hitherto been distinguished for uprightness 
of character, for benevolence, and purity of life, and for 
their zeal in every work of reform, and especially in the 
cause of human rights. The standard by which they 
aimed to regulate their lives, was not public opinion, 
not expediency, but Heaven's own statute book, for 
which they maintained the most sacred regard, and made 
it their constant study. And in marking out their 
course of conduct, their great inquiry seemed, not what 
would please others, or be to themselves a source of 
present advantage, but what was right, what w T as duty, 
what was in fact the will of God. They emphatically 
1 Remembered those in bonds as bound with them,' and 
they have been heard, while engaged in prayer for their 
emancipation, to entreat the Lord that if thus they could 
more effectually aid in delivering the enslaved from bond- 
age, they might themselves wear the chain, " — and 
blessed be God, we have worn the chain* 



PART SECOND. 



CHAPTER I. 

EMBRACING FIFTEEN AND A HALF MONTHS— THE 
TIME UNDER CAPT.'S GORDEN AND BURCH. 

JOURNEY TO THE PENITENTIARY. 

The morning of the first of October, 1841, was cold and 
very stormy. We arose as usual — but about nine o'clock 
we were called to start for Jefferson. A crowd again 
assembled to take their farewell gaze at us. The rain 
was pouring down almost in torrents, but the stage came, 
and we, after bidding the jailer adieu, were seated, on 
the middle seat — the driver before, and the sheriff behind 
us. 

A guard of six or seven men, armed with pistols, 
dirks, &c, on horseback, accompanied us. The cause 
of this great force, was an expectation on the part of the 
sheriff, and others, that we would be waylaid by a large 
company of our friends, for the purpose of rescuing us 
from their hands. We told the sheriff he need fear 
nothing of the kind — for our friends were not of that 
disposition. We had repeatedly requested our friends, 
that let the case be as it might, there should be no phy- 
sical defence in our behalf. 

Let me here state, that since my release, I have been 
informed that there were men in Licking county, Ohio, 
who at the time of our arrest, were ready, and very 
eager, to head a company, for the purpose of going to 
Palmyra, demolishing the jail, and effecting our rescue. 
They probably would have advanced with the project, 
but for the disapprobation and opposition of my friends 
in that county — who did what they could to discourage 



CONVERSATION WITH THE SHERIFF. 113 

any such measures — and told them that we would not 
come away in such a manner, if they should go — and the 
plan was abandoned. 

I heartily rejoice in having parents, brothers, and 
sisters, who would sooner see me lie in prison, than give 
countenance to any such illegal, moboeratic suggestions 
of such ferocious, hot-headed friends. 

Our sheriff, John Jordon Montgommery, was a 
member of the Presbyterian church in Palmyra. Though 
during our confinement in jail, he shunned us, now he 
was obliged to look us in the face with shame and blush- 
ing. He thought the subject of slavery was a very de- 
licate subject, and was quite reluctant to talk — but we 
discussed the question to some extent, at various times. 
He looked upon Dr. Nelson as a very bad man — not fit 
to live ! 

I asked, " Do you think that what we did, unchris- 
tianized us V " I do," was the bold and unhesitating 
reply. So much for the opinion of a slaveholder as to 
what religion is. This, connected with his views of 
Dr. Nelson, will give the reader a little idea of the vast 
difference, there must be between the religion of slave- 
holders, and that of the Bible. His opinion did not at 
all change our views of the character of our conduct. 

In the stage we read " Clarke's Promises," " Mahan's 
Christian Perfection," and the Testament, which tended 
to keep our minds tranquil, and gave us much comfort. 
Where we stopped at night, we found a large Bible, and 
as we sat before the fire, in chains, the gazing stock of 
the neighbors w T ho ran together to see the sight, we read 
the thirty-first Psalm. The reader will there find some 
very precious promises, upon which our souls laid hold, 
and were strengthened. 

As we stopped for dinner, the sheriff, &c, ate before 
us. While thus waiting in a separate room, the landlord 
came and talked quite freely. He began, — " Well, we 
slaveholders will have a great account to render, will we 
not?" Yes, sir, you will indeed. He acknowledged 
the evil of slavery — that they would be better off with- 
out i: — it was a curse, &c, " but how are we to get clear 



1 14 WILLINGNESS TO GO TO JEFFERSON. 

of it ? The evil has been entailed on us, and now what 
can we do 1" " Let the oppressed go free"—" break 
every yoke," and " pay the hireling his wages." Just 
stop oppressing them — let them go. 

At our next stopping place for the night, Alanson left 
an Emancipator, hoping and praying, that the spark 
might kindle into a flame. We could walk, by all 
stepping together — and we frequently refreshed ourselves 
by our musical marching step. It was very pleasant to 
be able to walk in this way, after being so closely con- 
fined to the side of the old jail, so long. We felt that 
God was with us, to comfort and support. Into his 
hands we committed ourselves and our cause, with the 
unwavering assurance that " all was well." With this 
confidence we were cheerful and happy. The promises 
were unspeakably sweet and precious, on which we 
feasted. 

The sheriff would not believe we were satisfied with 
our condition — thought we would run away, if we had 
an opportunity. I told him I was so far from going un- 
willingly, that if I were left alone, I would go directly 
to the penitentiary, and tell them I had come as a con- 
vict, to take up my abode with them, for twelve years. 
But this was what slaveholders could not believe. It 
was a spirit of which they knew nothing. 

THE SABBATH. 

The morning of the third day, was the Sabbath. We 
remonstrated with the sheriff against travelling, but he 
was unfeeling, and only tried to insult us. u You might 
have attended to your business, then, and staid on your 
own side of the river." Alanson thought we ought to 
refuse to stir a step — but James and myself, said it would 
be of no avail, they would put us in, and take us any 
how — accordingly we made use of our own strength to 
get in and out of the stage. We afterwards regretted so 
doing — felt we did wrong, and sought pardon from God. 

It was a very trying day to our souls, but God in 
great mercy, stood by us. 



HAPPY IN EVERY CONDITION. 1 15 

SLAVEHOLDERS, AND BIBLE RELIGION, AGAIN. 

As we came in sight of the huge and dismal walls, 
one of the guard, a professor of religion, came, and said 
to us, " Your happiness for this world is now at an end. 
You may be happy in a world to come, but you will see 
no more happiness below." 

Reader, see how little slaveholders know of the power 
and excellency of the Gospel. The very first princi- 
ples, are so far from being understood, that he who 
■practises them, and acts out the spirit of religion (which 
is benevolence and love to all mankind) — is branded as" 
a criminal, and looked upon as having forfeited all right 
to liberty, and the privileges of the gospel — and as 
utterly incapable of experiencing further peace and 
happiness on earth ! Amazing ! 

Of the power of the gospel to support, and cheer, in 
times of trial and darkness, he seemed to have no con- 
ception ! Poor men ! how they are to be pitied ! North- 
erners, do not censure them too severely. Their gross 
ignorance calls for the exercise of charity — " they know 
not what they do." 'Tis true they have the Bible, but 
they can't read it intelligently — they read it, but they 
don't understand its meaning — and they understand not, 
because they will not, for their eyes are blinded, and 
their hearts hardened. 

I informed the poor man that my happiness arose from 
a source beyond the reach or power of mortals to affect 
— that it was of such a nature as not to be destroyed by 
outward circumstances — and that it was not in the power 
of any man, or body of men, to make me unhappy. 
Thrust me into prison, afflict, torture or kill, they could, 
but still I should be happy, so long as my trust was re- 
posed in God. But such doctrine was beyond his com- 
prehension — " it was high — he could not attain unto it." 
I hope he may be so fortunate as to be " happy in 
the world to come" — for here, he certainly cannot be 
happy with such lean, low, heathenish views of what 
religion and happiness are. And I suppose that Missou- 
rians are an enlightened people, when compared with 
the great mass of the South ! 



116 



THE MISSOURI RIVER. 

In the afternoon of the third day, we came to the 
Missouri River, opposite the city of Jefferson, and the 
penitentiary. A messenger who went over for the ferry 
boat, reported that the abolitionists had come, and a 
multitude crowded the bank to behold the sight. 

While waiting on the boat, we read the fourteenth 
chapter of John. Our hearts were comforted, and our 
minds composed by the sweet words, " I will not leave 
you comfortless" (there in your dungeon), " I will come 
unto you," &c. We believed the gracious words, and 
rejoiced. 

A large concourse awaited our arrival, on the oppo- 
site bank, that they might meet and welcome to their 
city, those of whom they had heard so much. The mass 
of the male population, old and young, rich and poor, 
bond and free, were there — each one striving eagerly to 
get one view of an abolitionist ! And from their running, 
and gazing, it was evident they expected to see some- 
thing wonderful. 

So elated were the people at our arrival among them, 
that many followed in our train, while others ran before, 
and on either side, like so many obedient servants, re- 
joicing to show their master honor, or homage to their 
king. I think the arrival of the President would not 
have caused greater "joy in that city." 



CHAPTER II. 

THE CHANGE EXAMINATION FIRST APPEARANCES. 

A multitude attended us to the prison ; and the office 
was crowded, while we were loosed from our chain, 
stripped, examined, recorded, one side of our hair cut 
close — arrayed in shining colors, and another chain put 



REVILED AND THREATENED. ] 17 

upon each of us ! It was a trying time, but Jesus said, 
" Fear not." The Warden was insulting, calling us 
kidnappers (he had not yet read our letters), &c. The 
overseer stood before us with his great knife and pistols, 
while the guard, with muskets, kept the door ! One 
might infer from their conduct, that they looked upon us 
as altogether another species of beings. But one who 
was present, afterwards said, " I was there, and looked 
upon you as three lambs led to the slaughter." He was 
anti-slavery, but dare not speak out. 

It was now evening — the prisoners had all retired — 
everything was still, and dark, and dismal, as we were 
conducted to our cell ! 

Soon, we were separately brought before the war- 
dens, and overseer, in the " guard-room." One of the 
wardens was so drunk, he could scarcely sit up — and he 
did the most of the talking. We were " questioned in 
many things" — and things with which they had no busi- 
ness. They wished to know all about the " under 
ground railroad" (but could not get the information) — 
how many slaves we had helped away — what were the 
principles of Mission Institute — if abolition was not the 
principal doctrine — if they did not conceal slaves there 
— if that was not the object of the Institution — what 
were the doctrines of abolitionists — what we had 
studied, and meant to do, &c, heaping upon us oppro- 
brious epithets, and curses — threatening, insulting, and 
trying to frighten us into a confession of guilt, with, 
" If you don't acknowledge you are guilty, I'll take you 
down, and give you forty lashes !" at^ the same time 
swinging his hickory cane, and shaking it in our faces — 
his eyes flashing fury. 

We were treated very ungentlemanly — charged with 
lying when we told the simple truth, in the honesty of 
our souls; and then threatened with punishment — de- 
nounced as worse than highway robbers, cut-throats, or 
wholesale murderers, and as meaner than chicken thieves 
— threatened with having our tongues wired — and other 
things too vile and wicked to repeat. 



318 A FEW KIND WORDS HOW I WROTE. 



THE RULES. 



1. " You must not speak to any prisoner, out of your 
cell, nor to each other in your cell." 

2. " You must not look up at any visitor — if it is your 
own brother; if you do, HI flog you." 

3. " You must always take off your cap, when speak- 
ing to an officer, or when an officer speaks to you." 

4. ci You must call no convict, * Mr.' " 

When I was before them, I used the expression, " Mr. 
Burr." " No, no ; there are no Misters here." " Well, 
brother Burr, then. 5 ' a No, there are no brothers here." 
" Well, what shall I call him?" " Why, Burr, in just 
the roughest way you can speak it." Frequently after- 
wards, we were checked for applying Mr. to a convict. 

With the repetition of these rules, we were threatened 
with severe punishment upon the violation of them ; and 
charged, " carry yourselves straight." 

W T e were then locked in our cell for the night ; but 
soon the overseer came and spoke very kindly — told us 
what we must do in the morning — what would be ex- 
pected of us, &c. He said, " There are many bad men 
here, but if they behave, they will be treated well; for 
every man here is treated not according to his character, 
but according to his conduct." I asked if we could 
write to our friends. He said, " Yes, but you better not 
be in a hurry. Wait a little, till you see how you 
like the place." He said we could write once in 
two or three months. I asked if we could keep a 
journal. " I guess not," was the reply. And my jour- 
nal for the first year and a half, was kept on the bedstead, 
old boards, and blank leaves, by recording, sometimes a 
word, sometimes two or three w T ords, and sometimes a 
sentence or two — just enough to bring the occurrence or 
scene to my mind — with the date. In this way I noted 
nearly every important occurrence or change ; and after 
about two years, commenced writing out in full, all that 
had transpired from the time we came to the penitentia- 
ry ; and from that work, written in my prison cell, I now 
copy — so that the reader may, for the most part, in the 



A DARK TIME THE DRUNKEN WARDEN. 119 

remainder of this narrative, consider the writer locked 
in his cell ; and there, while others were w r rapped in 
slumbers, describing and commenting on the scenes he 
had witnessed. 

THE FIRST NIGHT. 

That evening (the first), was a trying time to our souls 
— our faith — our constancy ; but our God, on whom we 
had leaned, in whom we had trusted, and to whom we 
committed our cause, did not leave us wholly to our- 
selves — otherwise " our feet had slipped, and we had 
sunk beneath the deep w r aters," — but even then, we 
could lift the heart to heaven for support, for faith, for 
Christian boldness. And when " we cried unto the 
Lord, He heard and delivered us from our fears." I 
believe Alanson and James stood the shock with more 
composure of mind than I did, and were enabled to 
speak with more boldness ; but even my weak heart 
was enabled to look upward, trust in God, and roll my 
cares upon Him. It was indeed a squally time — the 
clouds were very dark, and our prospects gloomy 
enough. Doubtless w r e " should have perished in our 
affliction, unless God's word had been our delight." But 
glory to his name, faith pierced the dense darkness, and 
showed us a Father's hand behind. It opened our ears 
to hear a Savior's voice, saying, " I will surely do you 
good" — " Be strong and of good courage" — " No man 
shall set upon you to do you hurt." 

We laid us down to sleep, but were suffered to in- 
dulge ourselves but little in such enjoyment, being 
awakened and disturbed by the shrieks, and groans, and 
pleadings of our fellow-prisoners, in the guard room, 
adjoining our cell. Capt. William Burch, the drunken 
warden, had come in from his revels, towards midnight ; 
he dragged the sufferers from their beds — it being of little 
consequence with him whether they were guilty of any 
misdemeanor or not, and was giving vent to his cruelty by 
putting them to the torture. To hear them scream, and 
see them writhe and smart under the strap, or the pad- 
dle, was to him a rich and sumptuous feast. 



120 MUSIC OF CHAINS. 

And such things were repeated night after night, for 
hours together. Sometimes the whole evening, and then 
the hours of midnight, and then again before the morn 
ing dawn, would be thus occupied, driving slumber far 
from us, and almost making our hair stand erect on 
our heads, while we lay in suspense, expecting every 
moment that our turn would come next. But the good 
hand of our God saved us from their hellish mad- 
ness. 

In the midst of these fears and alarms, it was sweet to 
go to the mercy-seat, and pour out our hearts before the 
Lord, cast ourselves upon the promises, and invoke his 
merciful protection. 

THE FIRST MORNING. 

As the prisoners were all in their cells, when we were 
brought in, we knew nothing of the appearance and 
sound of things, till we were aroused by the rattling of 
bolts and locks, the slamming of iron doors, with a dis- 
mal, hollow sound, as it echoed through the hall, and 
the music of chains, as of a multitude of oxen walking 
over a bridge with large chains hanging from their yokes ! 
Strange sounds were these to us, and the conviction that 
they were produced by human beings almost startled us. 
But still more were we shocked when with our eyes we 
beheld the scene. O, it was heart-rending ! Out of 
upwards of ninety, the majority were in chains — some 
with one, fastened to the ancle, and suspended from the 
loins — some with two, one on each leg, and suspended 
in the same manner; and others with large fetters on 
the feet, besides two heavy chains, one on either side, 
obliging them to take very short steps. We also, with 
ours, contributed to the harmony. 

Soon it was generally known that the " Three Preach- 
ers," (this was the name by which we w r ere designated 
for a long time, by prisoners and citizens), had come ; 
and it was truly amusing to see how eagerly every eye 
was turned upon us, with a gaze that refused to be satis- 
fied. They had learned all about us, by the horse 
thief mentioned in part first, who came a month or so be- 



A GREAT MERCY. 121 

Tore us ; and also by the newspapers, which contained 
our letters, and other things respecting us. 

That day we remained in our cell the most of the 
time, but were allowed to walk about the yard in 
the afternoon by ourselves. As we looked at each other 
with our striped clothes, and cap, and sheared heads, 
we could not refrain from laughing heartily, and remark- 
ing, " Well, you make a pretty good-looking convict." 

OUR CELL. 

We were all allowed to be in one cell. This was a 
great mercy. Had we been separated and scattered 
among the wicked, I know not what would have become 
of us.' But God knew our weakness, and need of each 
other's help, and in his great compassion, constrained 
these wicked men, to treat us in this respect, kindly, 
beyond our most sanguine hopes. 

What was their motive, I cannot say. We attribute 
it all to the hand of God. They may have thus kept us 
together, to keep us from contaminating the other pri- 
soners with our principles — for according to their 
charges, the principles of a highwayman, or whole- 
sale pirate, were harmless, compared with ours. Be 
that as it may, we felt very thankful to God for this 
peculiar expression of His favor towards us. There be- 
ing such a very bitter spirit against us and our princi- 
ples, we should have supposed they would be eager to 
do all they could to keep us apart, if perchance they 
might overcome us single-handed, and get us to reform, 
and renounce our errors. But God suffered it not; and 
blessed be his name. 

Our cell is twelve feet by eight — arched — brick, and 
plastered — a window, on hinges, in the corner at the 
top, defended by two large iron bars — an iron door, 
about four feet by twenty-two inches, with a thick 
wooden door on the outside. When we went into it, 
there were two beds — one double, and one single one. 
The covering of the double bed, consisted of two small. 
very poor, and thin Indian blankets, under which Alan-. 
*on and myself tried to sleep ; but the cold would frequent- 



122 CONVENIENT EXCHANGE. 

ly so molest us, that we could sleep hut little the whole 
night. They were both too thin, short, and narrow — 
but these, or nothing. The covering of James' bed, 
was one Indian blanket, too short at both ends — in which 
he would wrap himself, and shiver away the lingering 
hours, till called again to his task. At work we could 
keep warm. 

After a time, James obtained permission, and fixed 
the double bedstead wide enough for us all. In this 
way we fared a little better — for we could take turns 
getting into the middle. If an outside one was becom- 
ing frost-bitten, he only had to request the middle one 
to exchange places awhile ; and we were ever ready to 
oblige and accommodate — for each knew how to sympa- 
thize with the other. So far from murmuring, we had 
great cause for thankfulness — for many were in a worse 
condition than we. 

THE ILLUMINATED CELL. 

I. 
I've often heard of prison cells, 
And dreary things, supposed they were : 
Where gloom, where darkness only dwells, 
To fill the pris'ner with despair. 

II. 
And such they are to carnal hearts, 
Who have no Savior and no God — 
The day rolls slow — the night departs, 
And leaves them still a drear abode. 

III. 

But glory to the eternal King, 
Who brought me to this little cell : 
Sweet pleasure here I find can spring, 
For here my God delights to dwell. 

IV. 
A hallowed, consecrated place — 
A bethel is my little cell : 
The heavenly Dove descends with grace, 
And blessings, more than tongue can tell. 

V. 
The Father, and the Son, come down, 
And with me make their blest abode : 
Not all the honors of a crown, 
Equal the presence of my God. 



GOD WITH US, IN OUR CELL. 123 

VI. 

He sups with me, and I with Him — 
He feasts my soul with heavenly love — 
And while I eat my food so plain, 
He pours the manna from above. 

VII. 

Not king, nor prince, finds such delight, 
With all his daily, sumptuous fare, 
As I within my cell, at night, 
When breathing out my humble prayer. 

VUI. 

These iron doors, and bricken wails, 

Do fail to keep my Savior out — 

He comes, and listens to my calls — 

Says, " Peace to thee, my child, — fear not." 

IX. 
In peace, I lay me down to rest, 
While angels hover o'er my head : 
And while with welcome slumbers D.est, 
They keep their stations round my bed. 

X. 

When morning gilds the Eastern sky, 
I early rise to sing and pray : 
My Savior still I find is nigh, 
Who never leaves me, night or day. 

XT. 

Let monarchs have their wide domain — 
And men of state in mansions dwell — 
Let worldlings shining dust obtain, 
But give me Jesus and my cell. 

OUR FOOD. 

All went to their cells to eat — their food being 
brought to them by the cook. We had " bread and 
flesh in the morning," and at noon ; at night, bread 
and water. Now and then beans or some vegetables 
for dinner. Our bread was cold, hard, heavy corn bread 
— our meat, generally bacon — which we had to eat with 
our fingers — no knives or forks were allowed. 

From April to November, we w r orked from one to 
three hours before eating breakfast, which gave us a 
hearty appetite for our corn bread and bacon. During 
the rest of the year, we generally ate before it was light, 



124 

so as to be ready to work as soon as we could see. 
And I am sure it would have put to the test the delicate 
tastes and stomachs of many who have been accustomed 
to their dainties — yea, and of many of the hardy farm- 
ers too. Imagine a man locked up in a dark room, and 
his victuals brought to him — he knows not what, nor how 
prepared — whether clean or dirty. Imagine hog's ears 
and feet half-cleaned — eyes, hearts, livers galls, and 
lights — many times quite offensive to the smell — and 
all these to be separated ami divided by the fingers and 
teeth, in the dark — and a pretty good idea may be had 
of the poor prisoners' manner of living for weeks and 
months together. This is no fiction. We know it to have 
been a reality. And yet this, with contentment, and 
the blessing of the Lord, was " better than a stalled ox, 
and hatred therewith" — For " a little that a righteous 
man hath is better than the riches of many wicked." 
And feeling, as we did, that it was the good and wise 
providence of God that placed us here, and that the 
same kind hand ordered all our circumstances — meted 
out to us what we should eat, and what we should 
wear, we received it as from heaven, with thank- 
fulness, contentment, and love. But let it not be- 
inferred that such has been constantly our kind 
of living. By no means. Though there have been 
times when we have gone for days without being able 
to get even a piece of corn bread — living on little, bit- 
ter, cold, potatoes, and fat, or stale bacon ; yet, in gene- 
ral, our food has been sweet, wholesome, and not un- 
palatable to us — though many complained and were con- 
tinually finding fault with the living. The fact was, they 
did not like prison life. 

For this coarse fare we were prepared, by previous 
discipline while at liberty ; so that the change affected 
us but little, in comparison with the other prisoners. 
Many who have been accustomed to the dainties and 
luxuries of life were immediately taken with diarrhea, 
loss of appetite, and were sick much of their time. 
Thanks to heaven for our Mission Institute training in 
this respect. 



WORKING OUR FEELINGS, &C. 125 



WORKING. 

In the course of two or three days we had commenced 
our twelve years' task for the suffering and downtrodden. 
Alan son was put at the chair business, which was his 
steady employ for fifteen months — except that he stocked 
now and then a pistol or gun, or did some other occa- 
sional job. James went at his trade, carpentering, 
worked mostly inside the walls — but also in the city 
considerably, building and finishing houses. 

I was first put in the brick yard — assisted in setting 
and burning a kiln. 

Thus we were now " under way," had fairly com- 
menced our onset upon the Arch- Monster ', feeling that 
every blow we struck fell directly at the roots of the 
great American Upas tree — at the foundation of the 
Pedestal — the vitals of the Goddess — the life of slavery. 
With this confidence, we worked with light hearts and 
willing hands. 

In the course of two or three weeks, I was sent to the 
city, to work with the masons ; was thus engaged for 
about a month, building ice-houses, brick dwellings, 
&c, sometimes carrying brick or mortar, then laying 
brick or stone. It was pleasant to be allowed to work 
after so long confinement. It seemed to brace up our 
systems very much. 

When it became too cold to work at brick and mortar, 
I went to chopping. A company of us, perhaps twelve 
or sixteen, went about three miles — took our dinner with 
us, and returned at night. Chopping wood and splitting- 
rails was hard, but pleasant work. It was an exercise to 
which I was well accustomed, and in which I took delight. 

I also worked in December, in the city again, lathing 
a large building. At one time, I was cutting up corn ; 
then at the stone quarry ; then following the wheel- 
barrow — w T as at this and the other — hither and thither, 
till February, at which time I was put at the turning 
business, and followed it mostly, for upwards of one 
year. At intervals, I was working with the masons, 
then with the carpenters — bottoming chairs, &c, &c. 



126 VARIOUS KINDS OF WORK PREACHING. 

My principle was to learn all I could, in whatever 
kind of work I was engaged, feeling that it could not 
injure, but might be of much use to me. 

When we thus worked outside of the walls we were 
accompanied by a guard of from one to four men (ac- 
cording to our number), with pistols and muskets, who 
were sworn to shoot the first man that attempted to run 
away ; but of their powder and balls we had no fear, for 
w T e gave them plainly to understand, that as we had been 
openly thrust into prison, we should not leave them until 
we were permitted to depart in the same manner. 

THE FIRST SABBATH. 

In the morning we were let out, as usual, and after 
washing, &c, we were locked up again in our cell, 
where we spent most of the day, having one Bible among 
us. During the morning the overseer came round to 
each cell, examined our clothes, enquired if we had 
enough to eat, generally, &c. Then, soon the wash- 
man came around, and brought the clean shirts and other 
clothes, if any were needed. 

In the afternoon, the cells were all opened, above 
and below, and every man took his seat (on his stool), 
in front of his cell, for preaching. It was a singularly 
looking congregation, indeed. Some had their caps on, 
and blankets wrapped round them ; some, with* only 
pantaloons and shirt on, others warmly clad, and many 
loaded down with chains, while a man, with his musket, 
stood to guard us ! 

In time of prayer, all kneeled. The minister (an 
Episcopalian), stood at the far end of the hall, above, 
where he could see the most of his hearers, and preached 
a short but good discourse. To us it was a rich feast, 
having been so long from the sanctuary ; for as bodily 
hunger makes palatable the coarsest food, so spiritual 
hungei gives a relish and sweetness to the most common 
instruction, which to the satiated, would be very insipid. 

Our chaplain was not hired, his services were volun- 
teered ; he usually came once in two or three weeks — 



SECOND SABBATH. 127 

sometimes only once in six weeks, and once we were 
about four months without any preaching. 

The prisoners generally sung, and gave good attention. 
They were pleased to hear preaching for a number of 
reasons. 

1st. It was a change to them, and helped to wear 
away the Sabbath's lingering hours, for the most of them 
had no book, and the Sabbath to them was a tedious 
day. 

2d. They looked upon the minister as a friend, and 
one who sought their good, while the officers and visit- 
ors were viewed with abhorrence, as those who only 
delighted themselves in their misery and disgrace. 

3d. They frequently would gain some intelligence of 
what was going on outside. 

4th. The sermon would afford them matter to talk 
about, and to many, the ideas were altogether new, while 
others would listen to find something at which to cavil 
and mock. A few gave attention, to gain instruction in 
the way of duty and the precepts of the Bible. 

OUR SECOND SABBATH. 

It was a trying one. In the morning, while we were 
eating breakfast, the overseer came and called James 
and myself out of our cell — for what we knew not—but 
followed our keeper, and were taken outside with a 
company, and marched towards the brick-kiln, which 
was then burning. I then saw what was wanted, but 
knowing the desperate character of our drunken warden, 
we did not feel it duty, at that time, to stop, and refuse 
to go further. We knew also, that it was a generally 
received opinion, that a brick-kiln could not be burned, 
without encroaching on the Sabbath — we knew no better, 
and supposing that some must be thus occupied, we made 
up our minds to go forward, and spend the day as profita- 
bly as we could. I had with me, my little " heavenly 
manna," upon which my soul feasted, nor was the 
" mercy seat" barred against us in these unpleasant cir- 
cumstances. Jesus, to our complaints gave audience, 



128 BURNING BRICK-KILNS. 

and said, "Fear not, thou shalt not be burned," — " I am 
with thee." 

In the afternoon, the chaplain passed by, on his way 
to the prison, to preach, but none of our company could 
go. This is the only time that either of us has been 
called on to work on the Sabbath, though many are 
obliged to labor on that day. 

With regard to burning brick-kilns on the Sabbath, we 
saw it proved again and again, that there is no need of 
taking one moment of the Sabbath for this purpose. 
Scarcely a kiln has here been burned "more than five or 
six days. They generally put fire in, about Friday or 
Saturday, and stop about Wednesday or Thursday of 
the next week, occupying universally less than a week ; 
so that a kiln may easily be sufficiently burned between 
one o'clock, A. M., Monday, and eleven P. M. Satur- 
day, if time is improved. 

We observed that it took a little over five days, to 
burn the one at which we assisted. Learning that fact, 
we should not have consented to burn another on the 
Sabbath, upon any condition, or for any consequences. 

Before I advance further, let me give the reader a 
concise view of the characters under whom we were 
placed, and by whom surrounded — that thus our circum- 
stances may be better understood. 

CHARACTER OF OFFICERS (PREVIOUS TO FEB. 1843). 

Already, I have given a broad hint, as to this, but will 
specify further. 

The wardens were both ungodly men — awfully pro- 
fane — very blasphemous, and regardless of the temporal 
and eternal welfare of the prisoner. Oaths and curses 
seemed to be almost as natural to them as their breath, 
and yet they pretended to disallow swearing in a con- 
vict, and said they would punish for so doing. What 
consistency ! 

They had no regard for the Sabbath. During the 
Summer season, scarcely a Sabbath passed, but the brick 
yard hands and others were ordered out to work, a por- 



CHARACTER OF OFFICERS. ] 29 

lion of the day. Also within the walls, there was noise, 
pounding, and confusion. 

Though our minister came so seldom, yet even then it 
was often the case that twenty or thirty hands were 
outside at work, till meeting was through. If he wished 
to preach to those not at work, well and good, but if he 
was not satisfied with this he must stay away. 

One evening, a man sat in the chair shop reading 
" Clarke's Promises," which James had lent him. Capt. 
Burch came in. "What book is that?" " A prayer- 
book." " It's no place here to say your prayers, you 
should have said them before you came here." At ano- 
ther time, an old man — unwell — was sitting by the stove, 
unoccupied, and I gave him " Mahan's Christian Per- 
fection" to read. Soon Capt. Burch came into the shop. 
" Ah ! you've got a reading school here, have you?" 
and took the book from him. " Whose book is this]" 
"Thompson's. Is there any harm in if?" " It is not 
for every one to read," said he, and looked at me, with 
a fiery savageness that seemed to say, " You better take 
care how you lend your books to other prisoners," but 
he uttered nothing. Turning to James, he said, " Here, 
Burr, take that book, and keep it." 

One evening I had finished my w T ork, and was sitting 
by the light reading my Testament. Capt. Gorden came 
along. " Have you nothing to do but read?" " I have 
finished my work, sir." " Well, when you have nothing 
else to do but read, go to your cell !" At other times, 
James and I have been ordered to put up our books, 
when we have been reading our Testament or Promises, 
going to and from work — walking correctly in our place. 
Suffice it to say, " They feared not God, nor regarded 
man ;" but took great satisfaction in doing what they 
could to degrade and unman those in their power. The 
guards for the most part, were wicked, profane, dissolute 
men, and these were the men placed over others to reform 
them. 

CHARACTER OF PRISONERS. 

Undoubtedly a few have been sent here unjustly, by 

6* 



130 CHARACTER OF PRISONERS. 

perjured witnesses, but the majority are bad men. 
Here an; collected the licentious, debauched, profane, 
thieves, perjured, counterfeiters, gamblers, highwaymen, 
drunkards, burglars, liars, vagabonds, infidels, scoffers, 
gospel-hardened, man-slaughterers, rakes, sabbath- 
breakers, murderers, anti, and pro-slavery men, &c. — 
from the youth of sixteen up to the hoary head of sixty- 
two years — under sentences of from two to ninety-nine 
years. 

Some acknowledge the truth, and pay respect to it, 
while the multitude treat it with carelessness and con- 
tempt. Of the most it may in truth be. said, " Whose 
God is their belly, w T ho glory in their shame, and who 
mind earthly things," " having the understanding dark- 
ened, being alienated from the life of God, through the 
ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of 
their heart. Who being past feeling, have given them- 
selves over unto lasciviousness, to w T ork all uncleanness 
with greediness." " Having eyes full of adultery, and 
that cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls ; a 
heart have they exercised w T ith covetous practices, cursed 
children, which have forsaken the right way, and gone 
astray ;" " counting it pleasure to riot in the day time. 
Spots and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own 
deceivings" — u as natural brute beasts made to be taken 
and destroyed — who speak evil of the things they un- 
derstand not ; and shall utterly perish in their own cor- 
ruption." "These are murmurers, complainers, who 
walk after their own lusts," — " raging waves of the sea, 
foaming out their own shame — wandering stars, for 
whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever," — 
" having no hope, and without God in the world." 

With such characters we have been obliged to associ- 
ate, to work, to eat ; and by such influences have we 
been surrounded. What, but the grace of God could 
have preserved us from being contaminated, corrupted, 
consumed'? Truly, had it not been for " the form of 
the Fourth with us," long before this we should have 
been devoured by the raging flames of corruption, into 
which we have been thrust. The hand of the " Angel" 



METHOD OF FLOGGING. 131 

has been manifest at every step of our way, from the 
first to the last ; the path has grown brighter and bright- 
er ; and many have been the wonderful deliverances 
from evil — some of which I shall mention in their places. 
Enough has been said to give a tolerable idea of our situ- 
ation, for more than a year. In the midst of such dark- 
ness we felt ourselves called upon to shine as lights — to " 
walk circumspectly and humbly with God. 

FLOGGING. 

When Brother Edward Turner was talking with us at 
our jail window, about coming to the penitentiary, he re- 
marked that we would probably find Missourians semi- 
barbarians. We have found the saying fully verified. 
As our cell was next to the guard-room, we could hear 
the charges, the threats, the curses, the rage of the offi- 
cers, and the blows they inflicted. We could hear the 
cries and groans of the poor sufferers. 

Flogging was very frequent during the time of Gor- 
den and Burch — though the worst of it was before we 
came — yet afterwards it was awful enough. 

For trifles, and often for nothing, men were called up, 
and received ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, one hundred, 
or more strokes, with the strap or paddle. The sufferer 
had his hands tied together, and placed over his knees, 
where they were held by a broomstick or cane, passing 
through behind the knees. Thus, lying on his side, 
stripped to his skin, he received the strokes. To get up, 
or straighten himself, was impossible, until the inquisitor 
drew the stick from its place. 

The strap was of thick leather, about one inch wide, 
and two feet long, sometimes tied to a short handle. It 
did not break the skin, but bruised and mashed it till it 
turned black and blue. The paddle was a board about 
two feet long, six inches wide, one end shaved to a 
handle, the other bored full of holes, every one of which 
would raise a blood-blister, where it struck the flesh. It 
was very severe. The reader probably is aware that 
this is a common instrument of torture among the slave 



135* UNMERCIFUL PUNISHMENTS. 

holders. One man was so dreadfully mangled that his 
flesh matterated and putrified, and became so bad, that 
he was under the doctor's hands for some time, and was 
unable to sit down. I believe his charge was an inten- 
tion or agreement to run away, though he did not make 
the attempt. 

Often, two, three, or more, would be flogged every 
night, week after week, month after month. Sometimes 
the whole day would thus be occupied. The greatest 
rascals, and those who could lie the most smoothly, ge- 
nerally came off with the lightest infliction. Many a 
time have we heard the scream of " Murder, murder ! 
O, have mercy — have mercy —do, do have mercy !" — 
and the reply, " Stop your noise, or I'll kill you." 
Many times, when they could not make them cry out or 
beg, they would then whip them for that. " You stub- 
born rascal, I'll see if I can't make you holler ;" and the 
instrument would be applied again. Whip them because 
they do scream, and whip them because they won't — 



that 



way 



Thus we were obliged to hear the storming and pro- 
fanity of a drunken fiend, connected with the yells, 
shrieks, and cries for mercy, of our fellow-prisoners ; 
and thus we were frequently disturbed, when on our 
knees in prayer to God ! Often we would be compelled 
to stop praying till the noise was over. It was almost 
enough to make our blood run cold, to listen ; but hear 
it we must. Frequently, Burch would come in at ten or 
twelve o'clock at night, drunk, and satiate his hellish 
appetite, by ordering up some one or more, for nothing, 
and putting them to the torture. 

No doubt men often deserved correction, but there was 
no mercy for many who suffered very unjustly. " There 
was no flesh in his hard heart. It did not feel for man." 
But these days are past. And O, what a scene will the 
judgment bring to light ! 

For a week or more, at the first, we felt such a re- 
straint, from the exceeding strictness of the rules, that 
we only prayed in secret, and talked but little. Gain- 
ing a little more strength and boldness, we ventured to 



SWEET TO READ A FEW WOBDS. 133 

pray together, in a whisper, which continued for some 
time — though a whisper would not suffice, frequently, to 
give vent to our full souls. We ventured to converse 
more freely, though at the risk of being punished — for 
we could easily be heard in the guard-room, where they 
slept — or in the hall, where they were frequently walk- 
ing, even if but a slight noise was made. But becoming 
more bold still, our evening prayers w r ere uttered aloud, 
so that we " prayed, and sang praises, and the prisoners 
heard us." It was a very frequent thing for the guard, 
and others, to collect under our window to hear us sing 
and pray — whether from a desire to overhear something, 
of which they might make complaint, or from other 
motives, we know not. But from that time, and onward, 
we poured forth our souls, without much restraint — for 
ourselves, our fellow-prisoners, our officers, the slave, 
the church, the world. And I have often wondered, 
why we were not called up, for our conversation or our 
prayers — but the mystery is all solved, by one expres- 
sion, " It is the Lord." His restraining hand alone held 
them back, and by his hook He led them. 

We spent much of our long winter evenings (when 
not at w r ork), but especially Sabbath evenings, in 
"singing the Lord's song in a strange land." In this 
delightful exercise we were not forbidden to indulge. 
While Alanson and James w T ere at work evenings, 
(before I commenced night work), I feasted my soul, " in 
psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and 
making melody in my heart, unto the Lord." When 
the moon shone brightly, I improved my time in reading 
by my heavenly Father's candle — so holding my book 
as to catch the reflection from the wall. This was a rich 
feast. To do it I would often have to stand on my bed, 
stretching and leaning, in order to get to the place where 
it shone on the wall — but it was sweet. Why w T as it so 
sweet to read a few words'? Why? Why is bread 
sweet to a hard working man, at night, when he has 
toiled all day without any food 1 Reader, if you " know 
not the heart" of a prisoner — of a convict, perhaps you 
cannot understand this — but go into Missouri, try to help 



134 FIRST PRISON LETTER EXTANT. 

a slave, be taken, and locked up in a prison — forced to 
toil from light till dark — and you will comprehend why 
it was so sweet to us to read a few words in the Bible. 
We carried our little books in our pockets, and read 
them, by the way, while at our dinner, and when we 
had a few moments leisure from our work — much of the 
time my Testament lay pressed to my heart. 

THE FIRST PENITENTIARY LETTER. 

On the 18th of October, Alanson wrote to his wife, 
giving an account of our circumstances, feelings, &c. 
(This letter — as also all of Alanson's — has been lost, 
so that the reader cannot be entertained therewith.) 
There is a very singular circumstance connected with it. 
He gave the letter to the officers on the day it was writ- 
ten. But it was not mailed, till the twenty-seventh of 
November, more than five weeks after. And probably 
they would not have sent it then, had not God quickened 
their memories a little, by burning down the large cen- 
tre building. The letter was mailed the very next day. 
They were withholding from " the widow and father- 
less," that comfort they much needed, and which 
they were anxiously waiting for — " The Lord saw it, 
and it displeased Him." And he has promised to hear 
the " widow and fatherless" when they cry unto Him, 
and to plead their cause, with their enemies. Take 
care, how you lay oppressive hands on God's poor ! 

I had many times asked for paper, to write a letter 
home. About the last of October, I obtained it, and 
wrote. Extracts will show my feelings at that time, 
better than they can now be described. 

THE LETTER. 

Jefferson, Oct. 30, 1841. 
Much Beloved Parents : 

Through the great goodness of God, I still enjoy 
the privilege of addressing you. And although I write 
under circumstances peculiar — under such as I never be- 
fore addressed you — trying to the soul, and to our confi- 



HAPPY IN BELIEVING. 



135 



dence in our Redeemer— and which no doubt have caused 
you many moments of anxious solicitude, and painful re- 
flections— yet / am happy in my Savior. < And though my 
outward man perish, my inward man is renewed day by 
day.' I rejoice that I can yet endeavor to administer 
comfort to your aching hearts : and to prevent your 
" gray hairs from coming down with sorrow to the grave. 
I am contented and happy. I came here cheerfully, and 
shall remain contentedly. I have no desire to leave 
till the set time. The hours and days pass rapidly 
away. They seem very short. 

Dear father, for a number of years past, you have de- 
nied yourself and worked hard to help me a little. 
Should I remain here twelve years, and have my 
health I can support myself, and save you that expense, 
or you can give it to others who need it. 

Should I here be sick, I shall be taken care of. I am 
in the hands of the Great Physician, " who knoweth 
my frame"—" who healeth all our diseases/' He " will 
strengthen me upon the bed of languishing, and make 
all my bed in my sickness." " He doth not afflict will- 
ingly, nor grieve the children of men"— but " for our 
pfofit\ v &c. Then do not be anxious about me. He 
is more tender than earthly parents can be, and better 
knows our wants than earthly physicians. 

Dear mother, do not let mv circumstances make you 
unhappy. Go to Jesus, « casting your care on Him— 
He will sustain you." Do not feel that George is 
wretched, being deprived of the comforts which you 
en j oy __f or I have all the comforts of life that I need 
Whenever you think about your son, for whom you 
have toiled, and exercised so much care and anxiety- 
of whom you have had high hopes, that he would be 
useful and cause you much pleasure in your declining 
years. I want you to feel that he is happy. It in this 
world, happy in every situation, for « I have learned, in 
whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 11 in 
the world to come, still happy, and rejoicing in God 
with joy unspeakable, and full of glory." 

Dear parents, let the words of God to Abraham, 



J^G PERSECUTION TO BE EXPECTED. 

come to your hearts as from a wise and faithful Father, 
" Let it not be grievous in thy sight concerning the lad." 
Though you cannot see the why, believe. Let faith 
show the hand of God; and may you be able to say 
with Laban and Bethuel, u The thing proceedeth from 
the Lord" — and if from Him, then surely we should not 
repine, but rejoice. Do not feel that " all these things 
are against you" — but " trust in the Lord, and wait pa- 
tiently for Him," and soon you shall see wise reasons 
for so doing. Rest down upon the promises. 

We truly live in a changeable world, and God's 
" ways are not our ways." When my mother brought 
me forth, and nursed me in her arms, spent anxious days 
and sleepless nights watching over me, instructed and 
corrected me, led me to the house of God and the Sab- 
bath school, and did what she could to make me happy 
and useful — when she saw me growing up, and her hopes 
centered more and more upon me — when she saw me 
renounce my sins, and choose the Lord for my portion — 
when she heard me in the prayer-meeting, and listened 
to my voice at the family altar — when she read my let- 
ters from a far distant land, little did she think that she 
had brought forth and was training a son for the Peni- 
tentiary ! 

When my father held me in his arms, to be baptized 
into " the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost," — when he dandled me on his knees, as I 
ran to his embrace, after his return from labor — when he 
taught me to work, sent me to school — worked hard to 
feed and clothe me — when he corrected me for my faults, 
and I began to be a help to him — yea, when he rejoiced 
to see me turn my mind to the subject of preaching the 
gospel, and leave the paternal roof, to prepare for that 
work, little did the thought possess his mind that he 
should soon hear of George being in the Penitentiary ! 
Yet such is the case. I am here. 

And, dear parents, had you thought in what a sinful 
world we live, when you baptized, instructed, and prayed 
for me — when you saw me bow to Jesus, and leave my 
lovely home, to prepare to preach Christ, among the 



NECESSITY OF FAITH. 137 

heathen, and had you recollected the words which the 
Savior spoke while on earth, you might have thought 
that such a thing was possible. 

Yea, considering such passages as the following, it 
would have seemed very probable. Matt. v. 11, 12; x. 
17-25; Jno. xv. 19, 20; 1 Cor. iv. 11-13 ; Mk. viii. 
35 ; x. 29, 30 ; Jno. xvi. 2, 33 ; Rev. ii. 10 ; Acts xiv. 
22 ; 2 Cor. vi. 4, 5 ; xi. 23-27 ; 2 Tim. ii. 12 ; iii. 12 ; 
1 Pet. ii. 19-21 ; iii. 14-17 ; iv. 12-19. 

Please read these and let your minds be quiet. We 
" know not what a day may bring forth," nor should we 
be anxious. The apostle has said, " be careful for no- 
thing," &c. I pray that you may receive all the com- 
forts and consolations of the gospel ; " cast your burden 
on the Lord and be sustained." I know, dear parents, 
it must be trying to your faith, but read James i. 2 — 4; 
Pet. i. 5-9; Rom. v. 3-5 ; Heb. xii. 6-13. 

How often have you punished me when it was painful 
to the flesh; and I perhaps fretted and cried about it, 
thinking it was very hard thus to be whipped ; yet you 
saw that I needed it, and you did it in kindness and love 
to me, and for my good — and now I thank you for the 
same. " Shall we not much rather be in subjection to 
the Father of spirits and live ?" He desires our good 
infinitely more than we do, and knows just how to bring 
it about. He will do nothing to injure, but all He can 
to benefit us. " Now the just shall live by faith. " 
What then if w T e cannot see the reason of all God's 
dealings, yet let us have faith in his wisdom. Did you 
always give a reason to your little, ignorant, inexperi- 
enced children for all you did 1 So our heavenly Father 
does not always now give us the reason — the why — but 
He has said, " What thou know-est not now thou shalt 
know hereafter," and this should satisfy us. 

I hope my brothers and sisters will profit by this provi- 
dence. Tell them, from me, that if they were once 
deprived of the privileges of the sanctuary, as I am, they 
would feel the importance of improving them. 

For your comfort read Ps. xxxiv. 7-10 ; xxxvii. 3- 
7 ; xli. 1-3 ; xlvi. 1-3 ; lxxxiv. 11, 12 ; xci. 1-16 ; 



138 CONVERSATION WITH CAPT. 6. 

cxviii. 5-9 ; Prov. xii. 21 ; xvi. 3 ; xviii. 10 ; xxvin. 
25 ; xxix. 25 ; Is. xliii. 2, 3 ; Job v. 17-27 ; Jer. xvii. 
7, 8 ; Rom. viii. 28 ; Phil. iv. 4-7, 13, 19. Just be- 
lieve that God means what He says in these and all the 
promises, and you shall be kept in peace. 

Your son, George. 

chains OFF. 

After we had been here just one month, Alanson and 
James were called into the guard -room, on the evening 
of the third of November, and their chains cut off. 
Capt. Gorden was present, and spoke kindly. He 
asked Alanson about his family ; whether they had any 
property ; how he thought they would get along, &c. 
A. replied — " I think the people of Missouri will not 
keep me here twelve years, as I have injured no one." 
" But you intended to, or would have done it, had you 
succeeded. I have no fault to find with your conduct. 
There are many bad men here, and you will need to be 
careful," &c. 

To James he said, " I know that slavery is wrong, but 
it was entailed on us by our forefathers, and we can't 
help it. We would be as glad as anybody to get rid of 
it, but we know not how. I have no doubt that you 
were honest in what you did ; and there are thousands, 
the same way, who are good men, they mean no harm, 
but they are abolitionists. But would you think it harm 
for a man to steal your bench planes? Would it not be 
wrong?" James replied, " I do not look upon a slave 
as a set of tools — as a chattel — he is a man." " Would 
you run away 1" " No. I will not go without an 
honorable discharge." u I have been watching you 
since you came, and I am satisfied with you. I have no 
fault to find with your conduct. You have conducted 
yourself like a man," &c. 

Capt. G. is a slaveholder. His is only another evi- 
dence of the dishonesty and heartlessness of slavehold- 
ers, when they say " they wish to get rid of slavery as 
much as any one,"—" know not how T ," and yet perse- 
venngly refuse to hear or read on the subject. 



READING. 139 



THE RUNAWAYS. 

About the first of November, as I was walking home 
from the chopping, about three miles distant, with twelve 
or twenty others, in double file, with a guard before, and 
two behind, with their muskets, two of the hands, as we 
were passing a thicket, dropped their axes, and suddenly 
broke into the woods, bounding through the thicket with 
almost incredible swiftness. Each had on a chain, but 
the thoughts of liberty made them light and nimble. 
Both were in danger of being shot, but the love of 
liberty nerved them to risk even their lives. The sen- 
sations produced in my mind cannot be described by 
words. One was wounded and taken ; the other escaped. 
That evening the wounded man was punished very 
severely, and another heavy chain put on him. 

As we started to come home the next night, an old 
guard, a professor of religion, said to us, "Now boys, 
the first man that breaks the ranks, I swear by my Maker, 
I'll drop him dead." But he had no opportunity to glut 
his blood-thirsty appetite. While going to and from 
work, I read my Testament, or " Manna." One day I 
worked at the quarry, loading waggons. There were 
about five of us, and a guard. We had our fire, and 
nothing to do, more than half the time. I had my Tes- 
tament in which I was reading, by the side of a rock, 
when one said to me, " Come here to the fire, and read 
to us." So I went and preached to them awhile. But 
it being not a very orderly audience, I chose rather to 
retire in the cold, from their noise, and hold uninterrupt- 
ed communion with God, in his word. That day I read 
the Gospel of Mark through in that way. 



OUR LIBRARY, 

At this time, consisted of three Bibles, furnished by the 
overseer (many had none), Mahan's Christian Perfection, 
Village Hymns, Clarke's Promises, and Mason's Hea- 
venly Manna, which we brought with us, and were 
allowed to have, after asking for them repeatedly. 

On the Sabbath, we sung, read, and prayed, with much 



140 READING BY MOONLIGHT. 

comfort and profit. From Christian Perfection, we took 
turns in reading a lecture aloud. Let me here say, that 
that book has been a source of unspeakable peace and 
consolation to us, amid our trials. Its sweet instruction 
— its lucid explanations of the promises — its presenta- 
tions of the provisions of divine grace, have cheered, 
strengthened, and encouraged us to trust implicitly in 
God. And for hours and hours have we stood and read 
it by moonlight. I have followed the reflection on the 
wall half round my cell, holding my book so as to catch 
the rays, as the brightness gradually moved round the 
room. 

THE FIRE. 

On the night of the twenty-sixth of November, we 
went to bed as usual, but were awakened by the -cry, 
" Fire ! fire !" We arose, dressed ourselves, committed 
our bodies and our all to a Father's care, and waited pa- 
tiently his will, being assured that He would do all 
things well. 

The centre building, adjoining the cells, containing 
various work-shops, had taken fire, which placed the 
nearer cells in imminent danger ; but God suffered not a 
hair of our heads to perish. Our preservation was very 
providential — we being next to, and almost under the 
flames. We could look out of our little window and 
seethe raging element just above us ; the sparks and 
cinders falling directly upon the window ; and we not 
knowing what moment the wall that towered above us 
would, fall with a crash upon our cell. But God can 
secure his little ones, and bring them safely through fier}' 
trials and threatening dangers. " Blessed are all they 
that put their trust in Him." 

The prisoners were quickly alarmed, and that saying 
was verified, " In trouble they will call upon me ;" " In 
their affliction they will seek me early." Such scream- 
ing — such crying for mercy — such praying, I never before 
heard. Locked in their cells, and not knowing but the 
next minute would wrap them in flames, and send them 
quick to the presence of their Judge, they were impor- 



AFFRIGHT OF PRISONERS. 141 

tunate, with loud voices — some calling upon God, and 
others begging for some one to let them out — others still, 
with their broken bedsteads, endeavoring to knock open 
the door — while others were screaming, " My cell is all 
on fire ! — Murder ! murder ! — O, do let me out ! — 0, God, 
have mercy on me." It was startling. Seeing the 
danger they were in, their fears were wrought to the 
highest pitch ; and anticipating certain death, they 
became almost frantic. 

A singular, indescribable, multifarious, confused 
uproar, was the result of pounding, yelling, begging, 
groaning, the crackling of the flames, the crash of fall- 
ing floors and timbers, the running, commanding, an- 
swering, and inquiring of those engaged about the fire. 
Some of the prisoners, with their broken bedsteads, dug 
through the brick wall, and came out. In our cell no 
noise was heard. 

When the building was mostly consumed, the prison- 
ers were let out for a short time, and then locked up 
again in the cells most distant from the fire. From four 
to six or eight were in a cell. There we all remained 
till morning. It was a desolate sight. The inside ol 
the building, with most of its contents, was now in ashes 
— for " riches certainly take to themselves wings ; they 
fly away as an eagle toward heaven." 

That day (Saturday), we spent mostly in our cell, 
reading, while others were engaged wheeling away the 
ruins. Also on the Sabbath, numbers were at work in 
the same way ! Thus the officers seemed to defy the 
Almighty to do his worst. Some who called on God so 
earnestly for mercy in their trouble, when they saw the 
danger past, were ashamed of their prayers, thus evinc- 
ing their heartlessness. 'Twas now cold weather, and 
many of the mechanics were thrown out of work. They 
mourned the occurrence, not for the loss, but because 
they would be obliged to labor in the cold, having no 
shop. 

On Monday morning, we were all collected and formed 
into a ring in the middle of which stood Capt. G. After 
making a speech, he called on all who would henceforth 



142 REFORMATION. 

behave themselves, to step forward — all advanced. Said 
he, " This is a place of reformation I" The reader 
will keep this in mind, and connect it with my past ac- 
counts. Remember it is a place of reformation, I told 
you a little about the teachers and the scholars, but you 
must form a more intimate acquaintance with this school. 



CHAPTER III. 

LETTER EXTRACT. 

Penitentiary, Dec. 5, 1841. 
" Dear Friend : 

" Truly God's ways are not our ways, nor his 
thoughts, our thoughts." But may it ever be our delight 
to yield up ours, and cheerfully acquiesce in His ways, 
and thoughts toward us. May we always feel that they 
are wise and kind and good, nor for one moment give 
way to unbelief, but trust in Him, and experience the 
blessedness of his promises. Ps. xxvii. 14 ; xxxi. 19- 
24; xxxiv. 8, 22 ; xxxvii. 3, 40 ; cxii. 7, 8 ; Lam. iii. 
25-27, 31-33 ; 1st. Pet. v. 7. Can you in view of all 
that is past and to come, adopt the language of the poet : 

I. 
"'Tis my happiness below, 
Not to live without the cross ; 
But the Savior's power to know, 
Sanctifying every loss. 

II. 

" Trials must and will befall — 
But with humble faith to see 
Love inscribed upon them all, 
This is happiness to me. 

III. 

«« Did I meet no trials here, 
No chastisement by the way, 
Might I not with reason fear 
I should be ' a cast away T 



SANCTIFIED AFFLICTIONS. 143 

IV. 

" Trials make the promise sweet ; 
Trials give new life to prayer ; 
Bring me to my Savior's feet, 
Lay me low, and keep me there." 

My feelings heartily respond to the above, and my whole 
soul cries " Amen." Though our way be dark and 
thorny, trying to flesh, and faith too, I can, with an un- 
wavering confidence, joyfully trust all with my blessed 
Savior ; and respond to the hymn in the Lyre, 
" Although the vine its fruit deny," &c. 
Should you at any time, feel anxious about me, just 
say to your heart, 

I. 

" Be still, my heart, these anxious cares; 
To thee are burdens, thorns and snares ; 
They cast dishonor on thy Lord, 
And contradict his gracious word. 

II. 

" Brought safely by his hand, thus far, 
Why wilt thou now give place to fear ? 
How canst thou want if He provide ? 
Or lose thy way with such a guide ? 

III. 
" When first before his mercy-seat, 
Thou didst to Him thy all commit ; 
He gave thee warrant from that hour, 
To trust his wisdom, love, and power. 

IV. 

" Did ever trouble yet befall, 
And He refuse to hear thy call ? 
And has He not his promise passed, 
That thou shalt overcome at last. 

V. 

" Though rough and thorny be the road, 
It leads thee home apace, to God : 
Then count thy present trials small, 
For heaven will make amends for all." 

Regard what Paul says in 1 Cor. iv. 5, and let us 
continually endeavor in all things to be conformed to the 
will of Christ. Though my circumstances are so dif- 



144 WORK IN THE CITY. 

ferent from yours, yet I am happy. The Lord blesses 
my soul. I do not get much time to read, during the 
week, but it is sweet to think of my Savior's words. 

George." 

The above is but a note to a friend, appended to the 
letter — but this has been torn off, and is all I have. The 
letter more particularly expressed our feelings. 

After the fire, the carpenters had a room prepared in 
the city, where they worked. There, James could talk 
freely, — a guard only being with them, who would 
often join in their discussions. Practical religion, and 
frequently, abolition, were the topics of conversation. 
In the same building, I worked at lathing, and could 
converse without much restraint. 

While we were there at work, a citizen asked per- 
mission to speak with James, and was refused. How- 
ever he contrived to communicate with us through ano- 
ther prisoner, who was allowed to run about where he 
chose, and we in the same manner sent word to him. 
At one time he wrote a letter, enclosing paper on which 
we could answer it, sending it to us through the same 
medium. 

He expressed himself as a warm friend, his abhorrence 
of slavery, and belief that it could not continue long. 
Spoke of the abominable injustice we had received, and 
gave us assurance of his sympathy and prayers, advised 
us to be faithful, &c. 

We answered the letter, nailed it between two chips, 
and threw it to him, as he came near, one day. In this 
kind of correspondence, we did not much allow ourselves. 
Connected with it was much danger to us, to the one 
conveying the letter, and to the man who wrote to us. 
Had it been discovered, we should have been severely 
punished, as also the conveyer, and the citizen would 
have been fined. And in trusting a fellow-prisoner, we 
ran much risk of being betrayed. 

AN EXAMPLE. 

A Trustee (as those are called, who are allowed to go 
out alone), with great professions of friendship offered 



CHARACTER OF PRISONERS. 145 

to get paper, pen and ink, for another, to write a letter 
to his friends, and promised to put the letter in the office 
for him. The man, confiding in him, wrote the letter, 
and gave it into his hands. Soon he was called into the 
guard-room, before the officers. — " Do you know that 
letter V 3 holding before him the letter he had just written. 
The man was punished. 

And this reminds me of another trait in the character 
of prisoners ; which is, 

TREACHERY. 

Situated as they are, one would suppose they would 
feel a common interest — a general sympathy. It is not 
so. There are a few, who would be whipped to death, 
before* they would betray trust, or get a fellow-prisoner 
punished. But the mass will do anything to gratify 
their own revengeful spirit, and procure the favor of the 
officers. See the example above. The favor of the 
officers was his whole object. When they thus betray 
a fellow-prisoner, it has an appearance of regard for the 
interest of the officer — and generally, by so doing, they 
gain the confidence and favor of the officers, at the ex- 
pense of their injured fellow-prisoners. For the officers 
are so perfectly duped, they cannot see that one who 
will betray his fellow, will betray them, just as soon as 
he thinks he can reap advantage by so doing. 

Many, by the fore-mentioned means and in similar 
ways, have acquired the confidence of the officers — been 
faithful trustees, and seemed to be very much interested 
in the welfare of the officers — how long 1 Why, till 
they could make all needful preparations for an effectual 
escape — and they are gone. 

Others have been very eager in espying out the faults 
of prisoners and running to the officers with every little 
thing — very much concerned for their interest — would 
traduce and belie their fellows—work and " fly around" 
nights and Sundays — how long, and for what 1 Til! 
they had so acquired the confidence of the officers as 
not to be watched closely; when lo ! some one privy to 

7 



146 TREACHERY OF PRISONERS. 

their plans has betrayed them (to get favor, mark), and 
they have been found just ready to scale the wall ! ! ! 

One will betray others ; then some one will betray 
him ; next, he is betrayed by another ; and so on, all for 
the same thing — favor of officers ! 

Two men, to gain favor, professed to be converted, 
and won the confidence of the overseer, who was a 
Christian. He trusted them out alone. Soon they 
backslid, (?) and were more wicked than before ; yet he 
trusted them. One even assisted in taking some run- 
aways, and thus gained confidence greatly. What next? 
They ran away. 

I told the overseer, a you might have known that 
since they had proved false to God they would betray 
your trust." 

One more case. Two men took a skiff to go after a 
paddle that had fallen overboard, but instead of coming 
back, plied their oars for liberty. A guard with two 
other prisoners was sent after them, in another skiff. 
These trustees were faithful till they were far enough 
away, then threw the guard into the water to get home 
as he could, and followed on to join their companions. 

But enough of this though examples might be multi- 
plied. 

About the middle of December I stopped work ten 
days, being unwell ; not confined to my bed, but unable 
to work. My time was principally spent in reading my 
Bible, now and then exercising lightly, and dieting on 
mush. 

CHAIN OFF TRUSTEE. 

On the seventeenth of December my chain was taken 
off. I had carried it two and a half months. When I 
first attempted to walk I could scarcely keep my balance, 
but with a little practice I soon learned to walk again. 

The next day I was sent out alone to procure mate- 
rials to fill our bed. My feelings were very peculiar, 
and my heart involuntarily broke forth in thanksgiving 
to God, as I walked by the way, for his goodness. Ai- 



A iMA LL TASTE OF LIBERTY. 147 

ter being under guard and in chains five months, it was 
inexpressibly sweet and delightful to walk at liberty and 
alone. 

As I looked behind me, and saw no man with his mus- 
ket following me, sensations were produced in my soul, 
of which those who have not been captives can know 
nothing. To the "good hand of our God" all this 
must be attributed. A few days after I went out all alone, 
to gather me some herbs — and again, was sent to the 
woods to get elm bark for the sick. At other times I 
w T as sent on errands (when in the woods and in the city, 
at work), to get water, lire, &c. Other instances I shall 
hereafter notice. 

This surely was 6i the good hand of God." To what 
else can such treatment be ascribed 1 Look at it, rea- 
der. Not only a convict, but a hated abolitionist, among 
enemies, in a slave state, in the penitentiary for twelve 
years — and such confidence, on so short an acquaintance, 
reposed in him ! 

This would be indeed surprising, did we not remem- 
ber that the hearts of wicked men even, are in the 
hands of God — and also recall his promise, " Verily I 
will cause the enemy to treat thee well in the time of 
evil." This explains the whole, and to God be all the 
praise. Though they so vilified us at first, it was soon 
evident we had their confidence — that they looked upon 
us as honest men, who would be faithful to the trust 
committed to them. 

THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

On the nineteenth of December, after preaching, we 
obtained permission and spoke with the chaplain. He 
was very kind, and gave us gospel instruction and com- 
fort. His was the first Christian's hand we had pressed 
since our arrival here, and the short interview made our 
souls rejoice. 

We told him our feelings ; how long we had been 
barred from the table of our Lord, and desired him to 
break unto us the emblems of our Savior's broken body.* 

* With my present light, I could not receive the Sacrament from a slave- 



148 COMMUNION SEASON IN PRISON. 

He saw no impropriety in the thing, and promised to 
attend to it the next time he came. 

But in two or three weeks he came again, and said he 
had " consulted with his brethren, and they thought 
it would not be proper ! — that we had forfeited the right 
to such a privilege — were considered as outcasts — and 
we had better wait till we were free !" We could but 
submit and say, " the will of the Lord be done ;" yet 
we felt disappointed. Truly this is strange reasoning 
for a Christian ! What will not u the fear of man" do 1 
Probably his " brethren" thought it would have too much 
the appearance of friendship for our principles, and ren- 
der him unpopular ! " Father forgive them, for they 
know not what they do." 

Feeling that our master's command was binding on all 
his people, and as much on us here, in prison, as any 
where, we anxiously desired to " show forth his death," 
and " remember" Him in his own appointed ordinance. 

But what could we do? Already we had been re- 
fused by our minister, and who should visit us in prison 
to break unto us the sacred emblems of his broken body 1 
We thought ; we talked together ; we prayed ; and 
sought direction from above, and became settled in the 
conviction that it was the duty of all Christians to obey 
the command, u Do this in remembrance of me :" if 
they had no regularly authorized person to administer it to 
them, that they should administer it among themselves : 
if a certain kind of bread and wine and dishes could not 
be procured, that they should make use of such as they 
had ; and to God it would be acceptable, " according to 
what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not." 

With these feelings we determined to obey the dying 
charge of our Savior, and administer the emblems to 
one another. 

Accordingly we made choice of bread and water — the 
staff of natural life — the nourishment of the body — as 
fit emblems of the body and blood of Jesus — the sup- 



holder, nor from one (like our Chaplain) who gives his countenance to 
the " sum of all villanies." 



COMMUNION HYMN. 149 

port of spiritual life — the strength and nourishment of 
the soul. 

Gathered around our little table, we read, and sang, 
and conversed of the sufferings of our Lord. In our 
humble manner we prayed, and partook of the symbols 
of his broken body and shed blood — and our souls were 
feasted with love divine. Jesus was with us, and made 
it a precious season. From that time we continued to 
observe it, in this manner. Such seasons were general- 
ly much blessed to our spiritual comfort and peace. 
And at various times when thus gathered around our 
simple board, have we experienced a joy, and satisfac- 
tion, and rapture of soul, unspeakable, and far beyond 
anything we ever felt while enjoying liberty. Of some 
of these seasons, I shall hereafter speak, in their order : 
but here I will insert a hymn, which I composed ex- 
pressly for those seasons, and which we often sang. 

a DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME. 5 ' 

T. 
Dear Savior, now enthroned on high, 
Who gav'st thyself for us to die — 
And lest we ever should forget, 
Thy dying groans, and bloody sweat, 
Didst charge thy followers bond and free, 
" This do in memory of me." 

II 

Thy dying charge we will obey, 
In this our simple, humble way: 
O ! let us each thy love partake, 
While now thy death we celebrate ; 
From sin's dominion set us free, 
And help us to remember thee. 

III. 
Thou art the " true and living bread," 
! may our souls with thee be fed ; 
As water makes our bodies clean, 
Thy blood shall cleanse our souls from sin; 
Thy fair example let us see, 
For Lord we would remember thee. 

IV. 

Thy spotless life we call to mind — 
With all thy treatment so unkind ; 



150 THE UNFEELING CAPT. B. 

The garden, judgment hall, and thorns, 
The nails, the spear, and impious scorns- 
While each can say,*' Tvvas all for me" — 
O ! Lord, we do remember thee. 

V. 

Our cov'nant vows, we now renew, 
Thy will to suffer, or to do ; 
Give us thy Spirit for our guide, 
That we may never turn aside. 
See now thy little children, see, 
Henceforth, we will remember thee. 

On the twenty-fifth of December, a gentleman from 
my father's neighborhood called to see me, with whom 
I conversed, in the presence of the officers. I told him 
to tell my parents that I was contented and happy, in 
my new situation. 

Speaking of letters, Capt. Burch said, "Many 
letters come here, which the prisoners do not re- 
ceive — and they write many which are not sent." This 
was very true. They were read by the officers, and if 
there was any expression they did not like, or if they 
had a spite at the prisoner, the letter was destroyed. 
While at work out-side, one day, I picked up a piece of 
paper which looked much like a torn letter — when in 
my cell, I placed the parts together, and lo, it was a 
letter to a prisoner, who had been anxiously expecting, 
and waiting for a letter from his wife and friends. It 
did not suit Capt. B., and was destroyed. However 
I told the man the substance of his letter. These few 
words may suffice to magnify the great goodness of God 
to us, in this respect. I think the reader will join me 
in saying, " It is the Lord," when he sees how freely 
we were allowed to correspond with our friends. Why, 
if all our letters were collected they would make a pile 
a foot high. I think I never, in any previous five years, 
wrote so many letters as during the five years in prison ! 
How was this 1 Others were not allowed this privilege. 
With a few exceptions they were not permitted to write. 
How was it then 1 " It was the Lord." Situated as we 
were, this was a great blessing. Communion with 
friends is sweet while at liberty, but a thousand fold 



TALKED WITH OUR FELLOW-PRISONERS. 151 

more so when we are confined in prison. 0, how re 
viving ! 

CONVERSATION. 

Though all conversation was strictly forbidden, yet it 
was common among the prisoners. Some guards would 
suffer it, while others would eagerly watch and report 
the first offence, and punishment succeeded. We made 
it a matter of conscience to talk with our fellow priso- 
ners as opportunity offered, and feel that it was not in 
vain. They evidently felt our influence. We reproved 
them for profane or filthy language, and many would ab- 
stain in our presence. We recommended to them that 
religion which we found so precious in all our afflictions, 
and most were ready to confess their guilt. Some would 
freely weep as w ; e presented Christ to them, while 
others would only mock and sneer. 

In our evening labors, we had more opportunity to 
converse with them about their souls, and endeavored to 
improve it. Why not 1 The wicked took the privilege 
of talking for Satan, and why should not we stand up 
for God % We felt that we were his " witnesses," and 
that we were bound to let our light shine. 

DEATH OF ELLEN. 

On the thirteenth of January, 1842, Alanson received 
a letter from his wife ; it was like cold water to our 
thirsty souls, though it brought the news of the death of 
his youngest child Ellen. She grieved herself to death 
(so her mother thought) for her father, shortly after we 
came to Jefferson. She was about three or four years 
old— a lovely child. And who can deny that our per- 
secutors will have to answer for her blood at the day of 
impartial reckoning'? 

The following was suggested to my mind, when mus- 
ing on the death of Ellen. I thought of not inserting 
it, but others advised me to do it. 



152 DEATH OF ELLEN. 

I. 

Ellen, where art thou, my dear ? 

I thy form no longer see; 
Now thy voice I cannot hear, 

Say, my child, where can'st thou be ? 

II. 

Mother, see on Jesus' breast ; 

In my Savior's arms who died : 
Nothing now can me molest, 

For He keeps me near his side. 
III. 
Ellen, why so soon removed ? 

Was not I a mother kind ? 
Have I not thy sorrows soothed ? 

Comforts sought for thee to find ? 

IV. 
Mother, you were kind to me, 

And your voice I loved to hear ; 
Always loved with you to be. 

All your lonely hours to cheer. 

V. 

Had you not a father dear? 

Loved he not your fond embrace ? 
Loved he not to wipe the tear, 

Trickling down your tender face ? 

VI. 

Yes, my mother — but in chains ! — 
He could not come home at all ; 

He could not relieve my pains, 
Could not answer to my call ! 

VII. 

Ellen, why for this depart ? 

Why not stay and cheer me still ? 
Stay, and sooth my aching heart ? 

Was not this thy Savior's will ? 

VIII. 

Mother, Jesus saw 'twas best, 
To remove me to this place 

In his will, O let us rest, 

Trust Him for all needed grace. 

IX. 

Ellen, sing your Maker's praise, 
With the saints around the throne. ; 

Tune your sweet and heavenly lays 
To the Father, Spirit, Son. 



THE WORN-OUT LETTER. 153 

X. 

Mother, can't yoa come to me ? 

Better place than earth is this ; 
! what beauties here you'll see ! — 

Dwell in everlasting bliss. 

XI. 

Ellen, wait, till Jesus speaks, 

Saying to your Mother, Come : 
Then with you I'll walk the streets 

01' the new Jerusalem. 

XII. 

Mother, will my father come ? 

Brothers dear, and sisters too ? 
Ellen, yes, we'll come as one, 

And for ever dwell with you. 

My poetic musings were principally while at my work 
-sometimes while on my bed. 



CONSCIENCES QUIETED. 

On the fourteenth of January I received a letter from 
a friend who viewed our conduct in a different light from 
what we did. It censured me pretty severely, calling 
the act contrary to the example of Christ and the Apos- 
tles, and exhorting me to repentance. But truly we did 
not know how, nor of what to repent, having a " con- 
science void of offence." We felt more like praying 
that God would open his eyes, and bring him to repent- 
ance for having given such encouragement to slavehold- 
ers. For they were so pleased with the letter, that they 
wore it nearly out, in circulating and reading it. After 
I had read it, the warden called for it, and months pass- 
ed away before I could get it again. As it was handed 
to me, he remarked that it had been lent considerably. 
And more than three years afterwards, that letter was 
thrown in my face, by a slaveholder, saying, " He gave 
you good advice." We were grieved to see such occa- 
sion given to the enemy, but we could only pray. If 
in any letter, we had justified our course, it would not 
have been sent ; therefore we had to be silent, and 
acquaint our friends of our true feelings, by giving 

7* 



154 USES OF SCRIPTURE. 

references to passages of Scripture expressive of our 
feelings. In this way we often wrote on subjects 
which our officers knew nothing about ; for they would 
not spend time to look out our references, which were 
many. Our friends wrote to us in like manner. In 
this way we could express ourselves understanding^ on 
almost any subject. We could exhort our friends to 
more earnestness in pleading for the oppressed — or they 
could tell us about the success of the cause — how many 
slaves ran away, &c. An example of the latter : — in 
1 Samuel, xxv. 10, are the words, " There be many ser 
vants, now-a-days, that break away every man from his 
master." We. all knew where this passage was. So 
that when our friends wished to tell us that any certain 
number had escaped, the understanding was that they 
should quote 1st Samuel, xxv., and give the verse that 
expressed the number of slaves — if three, it would be 
1st Samuel, xxv. 3, and so on. If w T e wished them to 
circulate petitions, or write to the Governor, or come 
unto us with all speed, we had references suitable. If 
we wished to inform them of our circumstances more 
particularly than we could in words, we had appropri- 
ate references. In this way, while our officers were 
perfectly in the dark, we walked and rejoiced in the 
light of abolition news. 

RUNAWAYS. 

The two painters were accustomed to go to the city 
alone, to work. When they went to the gate with theii 
paint kegs, the guard was wont to let them out, without 
asking any questions, supposing they had been sent by 
the overseer. One day, they went as usual, but did not 
return. After a few days, they were discovered in Ar- 
kansas. An attempt was made to take them, and one 
of them was shot dead ; the other wounded, and brought 
back to serve his time out. When thus brought back, 
they were generally severely whipped ; one side, or the 
whole of their head shaved with a razor ; and heavy 
chains put on them. Many times they underwent great 
suffering. 



THE IRON GATE OPENED. 165 

On the evening of the 2nd of February, we were at work 
as usual, when suddenly there was a great excitement 
and confusion among the guards and officers. Quickly 
the bell rang, and orders were given, " Go to your cell 
— go to your cell quick." Officers and guards were 
running to and fro, w T ith pistols and muskets cocked, cry- 
ing to every prisoner they saw, " Go to your cell quick." 
Slam, slam, slam, went the iron doors, and soon we 
were all safe. What was the matter, we knew not till 
the next morning, when we learned that one of the 
blacksmiths had made a key, opened the two large gates, 
and taken out w T ith him three others. Two of them were 
brought back in a day or two, and dreadfully punished. 
One cried " murder," very loud, and was ordered to stop. 
" I can't help it," he replied. Excessively large chains 
were put upon them. One of the other two was 
brought back about five months afterwards. The other 
escaped. 

During the winter, a number ran away. The his- 
tory of their exposures and adventures, as I had it from 
their own mouths, would make a volume that would be 
read with great interest ; but I have no room to insert 
them. 

Before the second of February, I had asked Capt. G. 
to let me learn the wagon maker's trade. He answered 
very jocosely, " What do you want of a trade ? You 
will go right to preaching when you get out." " Yes 
sir, but I wish I to teach the heathen how to work, as 
well as pray." u Well, I'll see about it." On the 
fourth of February, I was put at the turning business, 
of which I have before spoken. While standing at my 
lathe, I have had precious seasons, singing, and preach- 
ing to myself. 



156 BURIAL OF A MAN AND A DOG. 

CHAPTER IV. - 

A MAN KILLED. 

During the winter about twenty of the prisoners were 
taken six or eight miles to chop wood. They encamp- 
ed on the ground, coming home once in two weeks for 
clean clothes. On the 8th of February, a tree fell on 
one, and killed him. He was brought here in his blood 
— wrapped as he was in a cotton sheet, placed in a rough 
coffin, and buried. I assisted in carrying him to the 
grave. It was an open, exposed place, near by, where 
other prisoners had been laid. 

Two days after, one of our number was hung, outside 
the wall. He was charged with murdering the overseei 
— which took place a short time before we came. On 
the gallows he professed to be prepared to die, but per- 
sisted in his innocency of the horrid deed. We endea- 
vored to improve these events for the good of some of 
the prisoners, but the effect soon wore away. 

There are no funeral sermons here (one, afterwards 
of which I shall afterwards speak). Those who die, 
are nailed up in a rough box, and placed beneath the 
ground, with much less ceremony than many make over 
a dumb brute. When Capt. Gordon's dog died, he had 
a nice coffin mp.de, and fine grave-stones cut, with a 
splendid inscription, " My dog Trip," &c, &c. A fine 
specimen, by the by, of the value which slaveholders 
place upon a dumb brute over a man, if he chances to 
to be poor, or despised, or tinged. 

But surely, if there is any place where funeral ser- 
mons are needed, it is such a place as this. If there 
is in them any solemnity, any tendency to affect the 
heart, and rouse the careless from their death-like stu- 
pidity, then they are much called for in a penitentiary. 
We plead for the officers to send for a minister, but in 
vain. 



MUST NOT WRITE ON ABOLITION. 1 ft 7 

On the twenty-fifth of February, James received a 
letter from Brother Seymour, which filled us w T ith great 
joy. Nothing but the hand of God upon them, made 
them give it to us, for it was strongly tinctured with abo- 
lition. But our Father knew r it would comfort, and en- 
courage us, and suffered them not to withhold it. It 
was through the intercession of Capt. G.'s eldest son 
that w r e received it. He was always very kind to the 
prisoners, and to him generally they w 7 ent for favors. 
Through him chiefly our letters passed. He said to 
James, u Tell your friends not to w T rite any more aboli- 
tion, for, if they do, you will not be able to get the 
letters." I w r ould gladly give extracts, but I have none 
to give. 

second letter to my parents. 
Dear Parents : 

I received yours with great pleasure — the more 
so, because I have not heard a word from you, since 1 
was taken prisoner. Circumstanced as we are, it is more 
than ever delightful to hear from Christian friends. It 
makes me more contented with my situation — not that I 
am dis-contented — far from it. I am happy. But shut 
out as we are from Christian society, and the courts of 
God's house, it is unspeakably sweet and refreshing, to 
receive the breathings of a Christian's soul, though on 
paper. But should 1 be deprived of even this privilege, 
still w T ith my bible I should be happy. In this I can listen 
to the words of Prophets and wise men — yea, sit at the 
blessed Savior's feet, and listen to his " gracious words." 
I can be instructed and comforted by the apostles, and 
feast upon the promises w 7 hich fill the " book of books." 
But should this be taken away, still there remains a 
source of happiness, which men cannot cut off — which 
the world knows not, nor can take aw T ay. Need I tell 
you what this is? I trust that you also drink of this 
spring, and know the sweetness of its w T aters. It is 
holding communion with heaven, and having " fellow- 
ship with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ." Pre 
vent this men cannot. In every place and condition 1 



158 THE BIBLE PRECIOUS. 

can lift my heart to God, and feel that He who " stick- 
eth closer than a brother" is my " friend," ever near to 
impart all the comforts I need and can receive. I never 
knew how to prize the Bible, nor understood as much of 
its meaning as I now do. It is exceedingly sweet to 
my soul. 

My mother, so far from murmuring at my lot, I can al- 
ready bless the hand of God, and kiss the rod. u It is 
good that I have been afflicted." 

Granting that this is a punishment for my sins, as some 
say, then surely we should rejoice, and bless the Lord 
for it ; He does it in love, even as a tender father cor- 
rects his child, and as you often corrected me, for my 
good. Our sins are our worst enemies ; shall we repine 
at that which separates us from them ? Should we re- 
fuse or murmur to bear pain a very short time, when 
great and unending happiness is thereby brought to us? 
Ah, no. Better be deprived of all earthly comforts and 
joys, and secure the favor of God and heaven, than en- 
joy all that earth can afford, and lose the smiles of the 
Redeemer one moment — much more for ever. 

Dear mother, " only believe," and you will be happy. 
" Faith in God will quell every fear, and fill the soul 
with light, joy, and peace. Unbelief will fill it with 
gloominess and continual disquietude. Faith lets the 
Savior into our hearts. Unbelief shuts Him and all com- 
forts of His grace and salvation out of our souls. Faith 
is all light, unbelief all darkness. 

" Have faith in God," the Savior cries, 

Nor fear what feeble man can do ; 
Though clouds and darkness veil your skies, 

All, all shall work for good to you. 

" Have faitli in God," — though tempests blow, 
And billows like huge mountains swell; 

Though every surge should overflow, 
Have faith in God, and " all is well." 

Dear parents when I gave myself to God, I surrender- 
ed all to Him and His cause, to be used by Him in His 
own way. I have often prayed that He would send me 
where He saw best — make me useful in the way He saw 



DELIGHT IN GOD'S WILL. 



159 



fit— continue me in the vineyard— call me away when 
and as He saw would most glorify His name. This is 
still my prayer. It is not for me to say when, where, 
nor how long I shall labor. I lay myself upon the altar, 
a whole, a " living sacrifice." If His will is that I 
should labor here, I am willing to do it faithfully, so 
long as He sees best, should it be my whole life. What 
pleases my Savior, shall please me. If I am to meet no 
more with the dear people of God on earth, I expect 
soon to meet with a larger and better company than 
earth can afford. Is it possible that Elias (my youngest 
brother), has again grieved the Spirit, and hardened his 
heart against God 1 O, that he would submit. Dear 
brother, every moment you continue in sin, you are 
heaping up to yourself that of which you will one day 
repent, and it may be when it is too late ! Read Prov. 
i. 20-33. 

We live on prophet's food, only a greater variety. 

To close, how great the privilege of prayer ! That 
such worms as we can approach the Majesty of heaven 
— the Maker of millions of worlds, the Ruler of the 
universe, and hold converse with Him as with a father, 
a friend, a brother ! 0, let us love the Mercy Seat. 

Your son and brother, 

George. 

joyful discovery. 
We had supposed that we were the only ones in the 
prison who bore the name of Christ, for in all our con- 
verse with them, we found none who even pretended to 
be Christians. Some were old backsliders, but a " kin- 
dred spirit" we did not find till March 13, 1842. While 
working in the evening with W. G., I talked with him, 

and found him quite seriously disposed. This encour- 
, ., * . • T :_i.i __~~ :~~c +v>of l 



aged me, and that evening I told my companions that I 
had once more enjoyed the privilege of giving instruc- 
tion to an anxious soul. He was naturally quite diffi- 
dent, and being unacquainted with us, did not let his 
feelings be known hastily. In a previous conversation, 
I learned that he was a murderer. He felt and confess- 



16U A MURDERER CONVERTED. 

ed it a great crime against God and man. Being much 

interested in his case, on the morning of the thirteenth, 

I whispered to him, " Read the 51st Psalm to-day." 

He read it, and when we were let out again towards night, 

he said to James, u Tell Thompson that not the 51st 

Psalm, but the 56th and 57th Psalms are suitable to my 

ca«e, and express my feelings." 

We read them with eagerness — being; anxious to be- 
ts & 

come more acquainted with him. And no one who has 
not experienced something of the same, can even ima- 
gine what w T ere our feelings, when we read those Psalms, 
and saw there the expressions of a decided Christian. 
Our hearts leaped for joy — we shouted and praised the 
Lord. 

But still we were solicitous for a further acquaintance, 
and it being difficult to find opportunity to talk with him, 
we had further recourse to the language of books, as our 
medium of conveying ideas. I selected the 360th and 
412th Village Hymns, requesting that he would let us 
know whether he could fully adopt the sentiments there 
expressed. On the next Sabbath he returned the book 
saying, " They do not express my feelings," and a short 
time after, selected others himself, as descriptive of his 
feelings — such as the 145th, 155th, and 415th of the same 
book — and gave to us. We were now satisfied that he 
was indeed a brother, and we could but shout " hosanna ! 
glory to God." We were filled w r ith comfort and joy- 
fulness. It gave new life to our devotions, and lighten- 
ed the burthens and trials of the day. He had been so 
long alone, in the midst of such awful cruelty and wick- 
edness, ignorant and weak, that he was nearly buried be- 
neath the rubbish, and his light shone very dimly. 

But he now began to be " dug out" a little — his spi- 
rit revived as he heard us sing and pray (he celled op- 
posite us), and his strength began to increase. From that 
time till his death, he grew stronger and stronger — moun- 
ted higher and higher, and shone brighter and brighter. 

THAT " SALT" AGAIN. 

Not far from this time, a slave was put in here for 



161 

punishment. This slave was a Christian, could read, 
and loved his Bible. He has a family. He soon found 
us out, and was eager for conversation — said he saw us 
when we came — knew what we came for, &c. He 
wanted a " writing" — we told him we could not, in our 
circumstances, give one — but we placed the " salt" be. 
fore him. We told him of Canada — we told him of 

where he would find friends — and assisted to plan 

for getting his family away. We heard no more of him 
for years, and supposed he had gone — but latterly we 
have seen him here again. His family probably hin- 
dered his going — for slaves love their wives and chil- 
dren, as well as pale faces. 

But what I am at is this : — Suppose that this man had 
made his escape. Suppose that others, here, before 
whom we have placed the " salt" make their escape — 
what then? Why, according to the decision of a Mis- 
souri court, we stole those men while here locked 
up in the Penitentiary ! We placed the " salt" before 
them — we told them of liberty — and this was decided to 
be stealing ! They sent us here to keep us from steal- 
ing their slaves — but it seems we can steal them here, 
as well as in Illinois, or any other State. If a man who 
is travelling, leave a book or tract, which makes known 
that England has no slaves, or that slaves are free in 
Canada — and a slave learning this fact, escapes, why- 
then the book pedler stole him ! 

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER TO A FRIEND. 

" It is unspeakably sweet to hear from dear Christian 
friends. It lightens our toils, sweetens our labors, cheers 
and strengthens our hearts, makes time roll more de- 
lightfully away, and stimulates us to labor more faithfully 
in behalf of those (the slaves), for whom we are engaged. 
By this do not understand that we could not, without 
such letters, labor cheerfully and happily ; for we do 
work as cheerfully as the man who gets great wages, 
and with more delight and satisfaction than he who re- 
ceives his three, five, or ten dollars per day. I need not 
tell you why or how we can labor so happily here. 



162 

Jesus is our friend, and ever near. Though shut out 
from religious privileges, yet with our precious Bible and 
locked within our little Bethel, we are more happy than 
the king on his throne. From this we learn the way to 
be happy anywhere, to " rejoice always," to have the 
mind kept in " perfect peace," and to be like Jesus. 
O ! with this fountain of knowledge shall we not be 
happy and rejoice? 

The letter to which this was an answer was withheld 
from us more than a month, but in due time God caused 
them to give it up. 

SHAVING ON THE SABBATH. ALANSON WHIPPED. 

It was the custom to have all the shaving done on the 
Sabbath, because they could not spend time on a week 
day — so much gained, they thought ! We felt that the 
practice was very wicked — endeavored to leave no means 
untried to be shaved on a week day — talked with 
wardens and overseers — besought and plead, but in vain. 
We talked and prayed together about it in our cell. On 
the third of April, Alanson refused to leave the cell and 
go down to be shaved. A great stir followed. A guard 
came and said, " Work, why don't you comedown to be 
shaved V 9 " I feel that it would be wrong." The over- 
seer came, threatened and coaxed — now flashing with 
rage, then speaking kindly. Capt. B. was quickly 
present, fiery and raging — his eyes flashing fury — he 
threatened, commanded, and stormed — " Do you not 
know the rules'?" " I feel that I ought to obey God," 
" Well, put him in the dark cell, and see if that will be 
obeying God !" Alanson was then taken from us and 
put alone in a dark cell. The next morning one side of 
his head was shaved with a razor, and a heavy chain 
fastened to his leg. That evening he was summoned 
before the grand council, questioned and insulted, but 
not injured. The next morning early Alanson was 
brought back to us, and all hands kept in their cells that 
day. A general inquisition was held, and all were ex- 
amined and questioned, which occupied most of the day. 



WHIPPED FOR OBEYING GOD. 163 

We spent our time in reading and prayer, not knowing 
what was before us. 

When I was called to the guard-room, among many 
other things I was asked, " Has there not been an agree- 
ment between you that Work should refuse to be 
shaved 1" " No sir." u Did he not try to persuade you 
to join with him'?" "No sir. We talked and prayed 
about it, and each did as he thought best." Eager to 
find some fig-leaf with which they might hide their wick- 
edness and ease their troubled consciences, Capt. Burch 
began to question me about this one and that one with 
whom I was acquainted — " Is not he in the habit of 
shaving Sundays'?" What could I say? Speak the 
truth I must. But what occasion and advantage was 
this giving the enemy ! How did it strengthen them ! 
Again : " Do not farmers generally, where you are ac- 
quainted, shave on Sundays'?" O that I could have 
answered boldly — No. But I could not. O ! did Chris- 
tians know the evil influence they are exerting by thus 
desecrating God's holy day, surely they would desist at 
once. May the Lord open their eyes to see their sin. Had 
it not been for the wicked example of professors, behind 
which these men tried to hide themselves, who knows 
but I should have utterly confounded them'? " that 
they would consider !" 

The next Sabbath Alanson was called to the guard- 
room ; and while James and myself were on our knees, 
beseeching heaven in his behalf, we were interrupted by 
the sound of the whip — upon whose naked flesh we well 
knew. Our own flesh quivered. He received ten 
strokes, inflicted by the overseer, John Fulkerson. 
Capt. Gordon gave the sentence, with the charge to the 
overseer, " And double the dose every time he refuses 
to be shaved," and other very insulting remarks. As 
Alanson arose, he said to them, " May the Lord forgive 
you. ? ' It was comforting at that time to call to mind— 
" Some had trials of cruel scourgings." " This is 
thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure 
grief, suffering wrongfully." " If when ye do well and 
suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with 



164 NOT GUILTY, FOR WHAT WE CAN'T HELP. 

God." "Rejoice and be exceeding glad." "It is 
enough for the disciple that he be as his Lord," &c. 

As a farther punishment, Alanson was kept from us 
till the last day of May. When he returned, we united 
in heart-felt thanks to God for his goodness, in per- 
mitting us once more to unite our hearts and voices 
before the throne. While thus separated, he wrote to 
us on a piece of his sand paper with his pencil, saying 
that he felt the need and worth of social intercourse — 
that it was u good to be afflicted," &c. I wrote to him 
in the same manner. Afterwards he felt that as he had 
solemnly protested against the procedure, and sustained 
his protest by suffering, the whole responsibility of the' 
matter lay with them, and that if they persisted in 
their course he would not be held guilty. We did not 
feel that the act was ours, and the wicked wardens 
themselves confessed " You can't help it, Thompson ; if 
there is any wrong about it we shall have to bear the 
blame." 

THE PLEASING SIGHT. 

For some months we had all worked within the walls, 
and were thus excluded from the beauties of spring. 
The spring of 1842 was very forward. On the twenty- 
first of April, I worked in the city. And what a scene 
now burst upon the sight ! The earth clothed in green 
— the air perfumed with sweetness — the trees waving in 
blooming colors, and loaded with green fruit — while all 
nature rejoiced in the goodness of its Creator! It was 
delightful. Our Father's garden, thus variegated with 
richness and beauty, was well calculated to fill the soul 
with admiration, wonder, and love. 

Could a blind man suddenly have his eyes opened to 
see the wonders of nature, in vernal bloom, how would 
he be filled w T ith rapture and amazement ! What words 
could he find to give vent to the fulness of his soul ? If 
he were a Christian, how would he adore and praise his 
Maker for his wonderful goodness to man ! 

Imagine, then, what were the feelings of my soul, 



REFRESHING VISIT. 165 

when I was taken from the dungeon, and suddenly 
placed in the midst of such a bright disp^yof heavenly 
wisdom, goodness, and love. 

Those who carefully watch the opening spring in its 
gradual advances from step to step till it puts on its per- 
fect dress, can form but a faint conception of the im- 
pression made on the mind of one, before whose eyes 
such inimitable richness and beauty is suddenly spread. 

It was not merely that I might gaze and feast upon 
his wonderful works, that God so unexpectedly sent me 
to the city to work, but to see a friend and fellow-laborer 
in his cause. While there employed, a fellow-student 
came from the Institute, bringing news from the bre- 
thren. He called, and talked but a few minutes, as the 
boat would soon start. It was reviving to see the face, 
and hear the voice of one with whom we oft had united 
our prayers and labors for the oppressed, in the social 
circle, and in the sanctuary. He brought us letters, 
which were a rich feast to our souls. 

EXTRACT FROM MY ANSWER. 

" Heaven will make amends for all these days of 
trial ; but should I get no other reward than what I get 
every day in my own soul, I shall feel abundantly repaid 
for all these deprivations. Just let the child of God 
believe the Bible, and what can make him unhappy % 
Will afflictions — will persecutions — will tribulations, or 
distress, or anguish of body — will the scoffs, and re- 
proaches, and threats of earth and hell combined — will 
imprisonment — will the famine or the pestilence discom- 
pose him 1 Will death terrify him 1 Will anything — 
can anything cause him to be anxious and unhappy, 
while he rests on the eternal truth of God 1 I tell you 
nay. He stands upon an eternal Rock, and nothing in 
earth or hell can destroy his peace, but his own sin. 
He is more than a conqueror." 

OUR CHARACTER GOOD IN MISSOURI. 

On the twenty-eighth of May, a man who has been a 

7* 



166 TESTIMONY AS TO GOOD CHARACTER. 

legislator here, came to see us. He was quite familiar, 
and spoke very frankly. 

He enquired concerning Alanson's family, and pro- 
mised to write to them. Said he, " There is no imputa- 
tion against your characters ; but the excitement against 
your doctrine is increasing, and all the sympathy there 
is for you, is on account of your family." 

To James, he said, " You [all three] have a good 
character here — you have a good name all over the 
country. We have nothing against your characters — it 
is only against your doctrine." 

To me, he said, u The officers give you a good name, 
and say you have behaved well. I hope you all will 
learn to mind your own business, when you get out of 
this place," &c. 

REFLECTIONS. 

Has a murderer — a thief — a robber — a kidnapper, a 
good character" in community'? Is there " no impu- 
tation" against them ? Then what mean the above con- 
fessions from a Missouri statesman 1 Do they not plainly 
declare, that the people did not believe what they 
charged against us 1 That they did not try, sentence, 
and imprison us as State felons, but as abolitionists ? 
That it is not because Ave have violated their laws, but 
because our views are diverse from theirs? Because our 
consciences have not yet been warped, our eyes blinded, 
and our tongues tied by slavery? For these reasons, 
we are here placed, and here held — as will appear more 
fully as we advance. 

SLAVES ESCAPING. 

As we were not allowed to write on abolition — con- 
sequently could know but little of what was going on, 
the Lord sent a man one hundred miles to tell us that 
the slaves were escaping very fast, and they were able 
to retake but few of them. I was taken aside by Capt. 
G., with him and other strangers, where I was questioned 
as to the "slave route." Said Capt. G., "There is * 



ENCOURAGED TO LABOR FOR THE SLAVE. 1G7 

regular stage route, and he can tell you all about it if he 
will." I replied, u There is such a route, but I do not 
know it, but a short distance." 

The man said that three slaves had gone to Canada 

from , and that an anonymous letter had been sent 

to the master, from Quincy, stating that his slaves were 
safe in Canada. He wished me to promise that I would 
give him the name of the author, should I know the hand 
writing — that the person might be taken. Said he would 
send the letter, but I never saw it. 

The assurance that the oppressed were being deliver- 
ed, by our coming here, made us clap our hands for 
joy. We felt more willing to labor for them twelve 
years — " thanked God and took courage." 

The man said that when we left Palmyra, it was the 
determination of the people to raise a petition for Work, 
in a year, and get him out. But when the guard came 
back, and reported that he was unyielding in his princi- 
ples, they all said, " If that is the way he talks, let him 
stay." 

THE POLYGLOTT BIBLE. 

While James and myself were working in the city, 
old Mrs. Hart passed by, frequently, and looked with 
pity upon us. She said to James, as he was near the 
fence, " Would you like a volume of bound tracts V 
He replied, " I do not know as I should be allowed to 
have them, but we would be very glad if you would get 
us a Polyglott Bible." She quickly obtained a very 
neat one, and together with her daughter-in-law, after 
pleading a longtime with Capt. G., prevailed on him to 
let us have it. Reader, his objection to our having it, 
was, " I don't want to teach them another Religion /" 
We consider it a rich treasure — a choice companion. 
This good old lady afterwards sent us divers little com- 
forts, tracts, books, &c. 

On the thirteenth of June, I received a letter from 
home, bringing the news of the conversion of my young- 
est brother. 



168 MY BROTHER CONVERTED. 



an extract, in reply. 

Beloved Parents : 

When I read your letter, I could scarce contain 
myself. My soul was filled to overflowing with joy and 
gratitude. U I have all and abound," — "my cup run- 
neth over," — I feast on the heavenly manna — the life- 
giving fruit that grows on the banks of Canaan's river. 

Dear Brother, you have now sworn eternal allegiance 
to the Savior. The heathen are dying. I am shut up, 
and at present, cannot go to them. And in the name of 
my Master, I charge you to step up immediately, fill my 
place, and hasten to those who are perishing." 

" ABOLITION ALL THE TIME." 

As James was at work, outside, with two others, on 
the Fourth of July, a slave watching his opportunity, 
when James was alone, asked, " Are you one of the 
three abolitionists who came here last fall?" "lam." 
" Are you abolition all the time?" — meaning if he 
still continued to be an abolitionist, though in prison and 
suffering on account of it. James answered, " I am 
abolition all the time." Then came up another prisoner, 
and asked the slave, " Why are you not keeping Fourth 
of July ?" The slave, very beautifully and expressive- 
ly answered, u Ah, when I am free, I will keep Fourth 
of July — Fll keep it then, Sundays, and all days." 

Though he was a slave, he understood the nature of 
Liberty, and clearly saw the palpable inconsistency of 
our Fourth of July celebrations, while in our land, 
Liberty is but an empty sound, — a mockery. Let this 
shame the thousands who are so enthusiastic in celebrat- 
ing this day, in honor of liberty, while millions are 
groaning in chains and cruel bondage, from childhood to 
death. 

And "they are contented," are they? So ardently 
did this slave long for liberty, and so highly prize the 
blessing, that could he obtain it, he would hold a con- 
tinual celebration, and make every day a day of gladness 
and rejoicing, on account of it; thus proving the bare- 



SLAVES UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF LIBERTY. 169 

faced falsity of the declaration of slaveholders — " *hey 
would not be free it' they could." And this slave, pro- 
bably, was " treated kindly" not st worked hard," and 
allowed many privileges. He belonged to a Methodist 
class-leader. 

THE HARVEST FIELD. 

During haying and harvest, I worked in the field, 
swinging the scythe and cradle. James assisted a few 
days, in the latter part of haying. This was hard but 
pleasant work. It did not seem much like being in the 
penitentiary — except that the guard, with his musket, 
was following us around. The grain was about four 
miles distant. To and from our work we walked every 
day — carrying our provision and tools, which was the 
hardest part. Frequently, after walking home at night, 
I would be so completely exhausted I could not eat. 
The view of the stone wall, as we returned, after a hard 
day's work, was cheering; and almost involuntarily I 
would break forth w r ith " Home, home, sweet home." I 
longed for a place to rest my weary limbs. In the field, 
and by the way, we could generally converse freely. 

At this time, Capt. G.'s oldest son was sick. The 
prisoners were much attached to him, as he was alw r ays 
kind to them. I asked the old man if I could go up and 
see him. He turned me out alone, and I went and con- 
versed with him, about his soul, and the importance of 
being prepared to die. The family received me kindly. 
This we looked upon as an advance in the opening for 
usefulness, which we gladly improved, blessing the Lord. 

A MAN HUNG. 

Adjoining the hay field was the public gallows. On the 
eighth of July, a man who had poisoned his wife in the 
city, was hung. As it was near, Capt. G. allowed us 
all to go to the place. A large concourse assembled. 
A document of his own was read, in which he confessed 
the crime ; as also his repentance, pardon, peace, and 
hope of happiness. He warned the multitude to learn 



170 VISITED THE SICK. 

wisdom from his example. The most of that day, I was 
without a guard, with two others. 

OUR FRIENDS. 

On the ninth, being unwell, I abstained from work, to 
rest and recruit a little. And this sickness was very 
providential — for on that morning Mrs. Work and my 
aunt came to see us, so that I had an opportunity to 
converse with them, which I should not have enjoyed 
had I been well. Thus " All things work together for 
good." 

We were allowed to converse with our friends sepa- 
rately, a short time, which was a great feast to our souls. 
The next day (Sabbath), they came to our cell a few 
minutes — but Capt. B. was present, and we could say 
but little. However, for the privilege of seeing them, 
we felt grateful. They brought us letters, which we 
answered. They brought us two Polyglott Bibles, my 
Greek Testament, Saint's Rest, and Christian Instructor. 
This was a valuable accession to our Library. They 
brought my Webster's Dictionary, but this Capt. B. 
would not let me have. Why, I cannot tell, only he 
said we did not need one. 

Mrs. W. brought two children with her. They were 
treated kindly and with attention, by the officers — treat- 
ed as no other convict's wife or friends were treated. The 
sight of them awakened the sympathies of some, and 
their visit deposited a leaven which continues to work. 

They went to see Gov. Reynolds, but he refused to 
do anything for them. He told Mrs. W. he did not 
blame abolitionists for helping slaves after they w T ere in 
a free state — it was right enough. 

Previous to this, a petition from Connecticut came to 
the Governor, for Alanson. He refused to grant it, and 
wrote a long piece against letting us out. And the great 
reason was, " because he still persists in the same sen- 
timents," — not because he had broken any law, but be- 
cause he will not renounce his sentiments. That is it, 
reader. 

A man asked Alanson's little son his name. He an- 



THE SLAVES " RELIEVED. " 171 

swered — " Edwin Lovejoy Work," — and the babe was 
named Alanson. Learning these names, a citizen re- 
marked, " He ought to stay there everyday of his time, 
(why 1) for naming his children after such men !" Pa- 
rents, be careful what names you give your children, 
lest you get into the penitentiary. O ! what will not 
slavery do ! It was not because they were named after 
some noted infidel, or robber, or murderer, or pirate, or 
tyrant — then it would all have been well enough — but an 
abolitionist ! this is insupportable ! 

" RELIEVING THE NIGGERS." 

On one Sabbath Capt. B. came to our cell with three 
strangers. As he opened the door, and they looked in, 
one exclaimed, " Ah ! these are the men who have 
placed themselves in this condition to relieve the niggers ! 
Well, there are but few of them in a worse condition." 
This taunt may have two meanings either of which is 
true. 

1st. That our object was benevolent — " to relieve the 
niggers" — " to relieve" those w T ho are trodden down by 
the cruel oppressor — " to relieve" our brother, robbed 
and spoiled of all that is dear in life. 

2nd. That our coming here would have a tendency to 
relieve the poor slaves from their suffering, and hasten 
the day when every chain shall be broken and all shall 
be free. That this has been the case, there can be no 
doubt ; and this is one source of our contentment. We 
have felt that not one stroke should be in vain — that all 
would tell on the demolishment of the great American 
dragon — and it has been our constant prayer that God 
would give all our earnings to the slave — put all to the 
account of the widow and fatherless, and not let the op- 
pressor have one cent. 

Of the multitudes who came to gaze on us, some 
manifested in their countenances a feeling of sympathy 
others seemed to feel highly gratified at our suffering. 
The sight of us, under such circumstances, seemed to 
feast their malice and spite, while their looks plainly 
said, u Aha, so would we have it." Frequently the in- 



172 THE NEW CELL. 

quiry was heard, " Where are the abolitionists V 1 And 
then, " This is one of them." 

THE NEW CELL. 

On the eighteenth of July, we were removed from the 
cell which had been our home for nine and a half months, 
to one much more retired, and more desirable on several 
accounts. 

1st. It was so far from the guard-room that we were 
not disturbed and continually annoyed by the whipping, 
except when the cries were very loud. This was a 
great blessing. 

2d. There we were overheard so easily that we felt a re- 
straint in con versation,and frequently in prayer and praise. 
Here, we could converse freely, and sing an<l pray as 
heartily as we pleased. Though we were never once re- 
proved for talking in our cell, when it was known by all 
that we did talk, and talk about slavery and abolition 
too. 

3d. Being so far from " head quarters," we had more 
opportunity to converse with our fellow prisoners, &c. 

On taking possession, we kneeled down and unitedly 
consecrated it to be " holiness to the lord ;" to be 
the " house of God, and the gate of heaven" to our souls ; 
not imagining that it would prove thus to so many others 
as it has. It is emphatically u the hallowed cell ;" hal- 
lowed not only by consecration, but also by the glorious 
display of God's saving grace in converting sinners, 
and comforting and establishing saints. But I am anti- 
cipating ; after a little you shall hear more about the 
" hallowed cell." 

As yet, the windows of the " new cells" were fasten- 
ed down, which made them extremely warm and oppres- 
sive in the summer. Capt. G. refused to let them be 
opened. But at our request, granted us the privilege ; 
as also to have the little door left open, so that we en- 
joyed the free circulation of fresh air, of which others 
were deprived. Thus was the " good hand of our God 
upon us." 



THE LOST MUSKETS. 



" THE PREACHERS." 



173 



This is the appellation by which we have most com- 
monly been designated, by prisoners and visitors. If 
they wished to speak of our cell, it was u the preachers' 
cell." And many a time have we heard the remark, 
when locked up, and officers were passing around — " this 
is the preacher's cell." 

Frequently, as the guard went round on Sabbath af- 
ternoons, to let out the brick yard hands and others, 
when they came to our door, would say — " The preach- 
ers' cell is there ; you need not look ; they don't go." 
No. God kept them from even asking us. 

At one time, there was some disturbance, and we 
were all sent in haste to our cells. We heard the offi- 
cers going from cell to cell, for a long time, searching 
them. As they came to ours, Capt. B. remarked — 
"This is the preachers' cell ; you need not look here ;" 
and passed to the next. What was the matter '? Two 
muskets w T ere suddenly missed, and it was supposed some 
prisoner had hid them in his cell ; but they did not even 
suspect that the persons whom they had charged as be- 
ing " worse than murderers, and meaner than chicken 
thieves," would do such a thing! 



CHAPTER V. 

BEGINNING OF REVIVAL— DEATH-BED SCENES, &c. 

THE FIRST CONVERT. 

For some time we had observed E. R., and now and 
then spoken a few words to him. Finding him quite so- 
ciable, well informed, and familiar with the scriptures, 
w T e were soon interested in his case. He also beearne at- 
tached to us, and took pleasure in our company. Find- 



174 THE FIRST CONVERT. 

mg him tolerably sound on anti-slavery, we took more 
interest in drawing out his feelings. He was particular- 
ly kind to us ; and as he was allowed to go where he 
chose, he received many little favors from persons out- 
side, which he gladly divided with us ; thus bringing 
us apples, peaches, tomatoes, grapes, &c. By him per- 
sons would frequently send us favors, thereby manifest- 
ing their regard for the three abolitionists. 

About the middle of August, E. R. was evidently in 
a serious state of mind, and searched for the truth with 
an eagerness that indicated the workings of his soul, 
and the influences of the spirit. As his mind was a 
little confused on the subject of future punishment, we 
gave him the Christian Instructor to read, directing him 
to the chapter on this point. He read it with attention ; 
his eyes were opened ; he saw his danger and lost con- 
dition ; and betook himself to pleading with God for 
mercy. The contest within was strong — whether 
Christ or Satan should rule over him — but grace tri- 
umphed, and he threw himself at the Savior's feet — a sub- 
dued child. 

During the afternoon of the twenty-first (Sabbath), 
he came to our door, and looking in, with a smile, said, 
" I have had a hard struggle to-day — I have overcome the 
wicked spirit." " Have you given your heart to God V 
u I have, and I feel his love in my soul." With the an- 
gels we rejoiced, and cried, " Glory to God.'" We were 
encouraged to pray, and watch for opportunities to speak 
" a word in season." We pursued our toils with glad 
and light hearts. At evening, he would frequently come, 
a few minutes, just before we were locked up, and tell 
us how he prospered ; what temptations, difficulties and 
trials he encountered ; and with what feelings he met 
and endured them. This gave us opportunity to coun- 
sel, encourage, and strengthen him. His work, usually, 
was such as kept him outside till the rest were shut up, then 
he would come softly to our cell, and talk till the guard 
came to lock him up. Thus we fed him, as a lamb, and 
" strengthened his hands in God." Here he would 
come, and hear us sing and pray, when he could not 



DEATH-BED SCENE. 175 

get hi to join his voice with ours. Frequently, as we 
we were at our devotions, we would hear his gentle 
footsteps, coming to unite his heart with ours. At one 
time he said, " I have had a severe trial, last night and to- 
day. I have been tempted to turn back, but I keep good 
courage." At another time, " Go as it may with me, 
you have done me no harm, but much good." Jesus 
shall have all the praise. He talked with his cell-mate, 
and obtained his consent to let him pray with him, but 
could not get him to pray for himself. But I shall have 
occasion to speak of him again. 

FIRST DEATH-BED SCENE. 

On the twelfth of August, about midnight, the over- 
seer came and called,—" George Thompson." "What is 
is wanting, sir T' " I want you to get up a little while, 
to go and see Richards. We think he won't live long. 
Take your books and read and pray with him. It can't 
do him any hurt, and it may do him good." I was quick- 
ly ready. In the guard room I saw Pope Gorden, son 
of Capt. G., who said, " Ask him if he wishes to send 
any word to his friends — and he may wish to confess 
something to you about the Bullard scrape" — (the mur- 
der of the former overseer). I went to his cell, but al- 
ready was he beyond the power of utterance, and sink- 
ing in the arms of death. The short breath, the fixed 
and glassy eye, and the gnashing teeth, showed that he 
had but a short time to stay. He soon expired, and it is 
to be feared he exchanged this for the gloomy pri- 
son of eternity. We laid him out, and four of us re- 
mained there the rest of the night. I endeavored to im- 
prove the event for their good. The next day he was 
buried. The effect on the minds of the prisoners, was 
transient. This man had been tried on the charge of 
murder, above mentioned, and acquitted. His disease, 
I believe, was that mentioned in Prov. v. 11. 

FRUIT, SABBATH, ETC. 

During peach time, bushels were brought in, and di- 
vided among the prisoners. Though confined in prison, 



176 REFUSAL OF SABBATH-GATHERED FRUITS. 

we were not deprived of all the luxuries of nature. 
On the third of September, I obtained permission and 
went alone to the woods for pawpaws — and afterwards, 
in like manner, for grapes. At these times, I enjoyed 
the inestimable luxury of prayer, alone, in the grove, 
" Where none but God could hear." Others would go 
out on the Sabbath, and gather grapes, nuts, &e., and divide 
them among the prisoners. When offered to us, we re- 
fused, telling them we could not receive things which 
were obtained by breaking the Sabbath. The rebuke 
was felt by prisoners and officers, and the " prison was 
shaken" morally. But what if we had quickly received 
all they brought, disregarding the 'manner in which it 
was obtained ? Of course they would have been en- 
couraged. Can a man, with any consistency, say unto 
a thief, " thou shalt not steal," when he is ready to 
share with him the stolen property? So neither could 
we, with any propriety or efficacy, have opened our 
mouth for the Sabbath, had we given our sanction to 
their wickedness, by being participants of the ill-gotten 
articles. And so of any other sin. If we would reprove 
with any effect, we must not be " partakers of other 
men's sins." The same principle applies to slavery, 
and slave produce. 

PREACHING AGAIN. 

We had been without preaching about four months, 
when, on September 4th, a large number of Metho- 
dist ministers attended, and preached for us twice, a 
thing not done before. Conference was sitting in the 
city, and many came to see and do the prisoners good. 
Then, for the first time, about half the prisoners were 
assembled in one of the shops, while the rest sat as 
usual at their doors. The speaker, standing in a door, 
was easily heard both w T ays by all. It was a rich feast, 
once more to listen to the glad tidings of salvation. 
Never did a famishing man receive food with more eager- 
ness and pleasure, than we the words of eternal life, 
after so long a famine. 

It was also a solemn time. Some, speaking of it af- 



DESIRE TO SPEAK IN MEETING. 177 

terwards, said that it made them think more seri- 
ously about their souls, than they ever in their life 
had done. We strongly desired to express our feelings 
— E. R. likewise. I asked one of the ministers to give 
the privilege in the afternoon. He consulted with Capt. 
B., who refused to grant it. But, at the close of the 
sermon, my soul was full almost to bursting, and I felt I 
must call on my fellows to come to Christ. I arose — 
said " 1 should like to say a few words to my fellow 
prisoners, if it would not be out of order," and began, 
when Capt. Burch cried out, " It's out of order, Thomp- 
son, take your seat." His wife, who was present, on 
hearing this, burst into tears. I took my seat — but the 
privilege of a social prayer-meeting then appeared more 
precious than ever ! 0, what would we not have given 
for the opportunity of giving vent to our almost bursting 
hearts, in exhorting sinners, and in testifying to the 
goodness of God ! But this was denied us, and we 
" withheld our tongue even from speaking good, because 
the Lord did it." 

REFLECTION. 

Ah ! how little do they know what they do, who wil- 
fully neglect the place of prayer ! — or who, when there, 
are backward, and even refuse to speak or pray ! How 
little do they value that which is of such inestimable 
worth ! Yea, how r would they prize and desire what 
they now so lightly esteem, were they once wholly de- 
prived of it, as we are ! Reader, I hope it may not be 
necessary for God to send you to a Penitentiary, to 
make you prize and improve your high privileges. 
Then take a prisoner's advice, and be u ready to every 
good word and work." 

For thus attempting to speak u in the name of Jesus," 
I was called before the " Grand Council," which con- 
sisted of the wardens, overseer, all the guards, &c. — a 
room full. Capt. Burch was the " speaker." I was 
"questioned in many things," but " finding nothing how 
they might punish me," I was, for this grievous crime, 
sentenced to wear a heavy chain. I " departed from the 

8* 



178 THE CHAIN. 

council, rejoicing that I was counted worthy to suffer 
shame for the name of Jesus." My chain I carried 
about with me, as my constant and precious companion, 
for ten days, at which time Capt. G. ordered it off. I 
rejoiced in being able to tread so much more nearly in 
in the steps of Paul. The day after it was put on me, 
a wicked man remarked to his cell-mate, '* Now you see 
if some judgment don't happen to Capt. B. for putting 
that chain on Thompson." And so it was, for the Lord 
killed his horse ; and unless he repents, that chain will 
appear against him at the judgment. Think not, reader, 
that we did, or do, feel a spirit of revenge towards Capt. 
B., or the most bitter enemy we may have. No, far 
from it. We heartily forgive, as we hope to be forgiven 
of God ; and we would rejoice to manifest our forgive- 
ness by acts of benevolence to them. 

THE DOOR OPENING. 

About this time, W. G. expressed a wish to be bap- 
tized, and wished counsel. While I was conversing 
with him one day on the subject, as we walked across 
the yard, the overseer suddenly came round the corner 
of a building, and called out " What is the chat, Thomp- 
son?" 1 told him plainly. "Has G. any serious 
thoughts about Religion V 7 " He has, sir." " Well if 
you and he, or any other one, wish to converse on that 
subject, come to me, and I will gladly hear what you 
have to say. If any one wishes to converse with you 
about their souls, ask me, and you shall have the privi- 
lege ; for I am favorable to religion and have respect for 
it." Here, it will be noticed, is an advance in opening 
the door for our usefulness. We lejoiced in the pros- 
pect, and " took courage." 

We informed the seriously disposed of what the over-' 
seer said, and advised them to get permission, and come 
to our cell, expecting, of course, that he would be pre- 
sent to hear every thing. But as God always goes be- 
fore his people, exceeding their petitions, and granting 
what they neither asked, nor had faith to hope for, so 
it was in the present case. 



THE DOOR OF USEFULNESS OPENING. 179 

On Sabbath morning, the eleventh of September, 
Cdpt. Gorden came to our cell, bringing W. G. and G. G., 
saying, u Here is G. G.» he wishes to learn to read. 1 
turn him over to you to instruct on the Sabbath. Also 
instill into him Christianity. As for W. G., he can read, 
and can speak for himself, and tell you what he wants." 
He left them with us, and departed. E. R. also came, 
and we spent the day together. Then we felt that a God 
had done great things for us." What a door was now 
opened ! How gradually, and yet how rapidly did cir- 
cumstances combine to bring about this event ! And to 
what can we ascribe it, but to the " good hand of our 
God upon us?' 

After prayer, we entered upon our work. Said W. 
G., u I know I have been c born of the Spirit,' but the 
water is yet wanting." We then explained the nature, 
design, and mode of baptism — leaving him to satisfy his 
own conscience as to the form. And as he felt he ought 
to be immersed, we did not attempt to argue him out of 
his opinion. 

G. G. was impenitent. We taught him to read and 
exhorted him to repentance. He tried to play the hypo- 
crite, and came a few Sabbaths, but the fire was too hot 
for him, and he ceased coming. The other two con- 
tinued to attend. We all studied the Bible together, 
sang praises, and then for the first time, for more than a 
year, united with others in social prayer to God, and lis- 
tened to supplicating voices w T e never before had heard. 

Oh, how did our souls rejoice — our bones fatten, and 
our tongues praise the Lord ! It was far beyond our 
faith or our hope, and rebuked our unbelief. We could 
but exclaim, " What hath God wrought !" " Halleluia !" 
" Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but. to Thy name 
give glory." 

The two brethren " grew in grace," and increased in 
" knowledge and utterance." At first, W. G. was diffi- 
dent and confused — could say but little — but by going 
forward, trusting in God, he gained the victory, and 
mounted up as on wings of eagles. 



ISO THE DEATH- BED. 



THE METHODIST PREACHERS. 

On the twelfth, we were pointed out to companies of 
ihe ministers, who came to have a view of the three abo- 
litionists. They gazed and looked — and looked and 
gazed— surveyed us on every side, and some seemed 
to pity — but we could not speak. We desired to 
ask, " Watchman, what of the night ?" but had to 
content ourselves with praying, that they might open 
their mouths for the oppressed. " We are a spectacle 
unto the world, to angels, and unto men !" When we 
were pointed out to strangers, every eye would be fixed 
upon us, marking every turn, viewing every feature, our 
stature, and form, as if to ascertain whether we were 
really human beings, or such Jiends incarnate, as we had 
been represented to be. 

SECOND DEATH-BED SCENE. 

On the eighteenth of September (Sabbath), as we were 
engaged in our social exercises, a guard came and called 
for me to go and talk with a sick man. He had been 
sick about two weeks — we had talked some to him, and 
saw that he was fast verging towards his end. As I ap- 
proached the bed, it was evident he had but a short time 
to remain — what was to be done must be done quickly, 
or not at all. He. called me by name, but could only 
articulate faintly. His eyes sunken, his breath short and 
ditricult, he was gradually sinking into the arms of death 
— sensible of his condition, but unprepared to die. Do 
you think you shall die? " Yes." Do you feel ready ? 
" No." Are you willing to die 1 " No.'" Do you feel 
that you are a great sinner? " Yes." I spoke of the 
Savior to him — what he had done — his willingness to 
pardon, even him, if he would now truly repent, and 
cast himself upon him for mercy. I spoke of the thief 
on the cross — reminded him of his own condition, and 
asked, can you not look to Jesus, and now cast yourself 
upon Him 1 "I donH know — Lord have mercy on me," 
said he, and continued to sink in death. 

1 knelt by him, and prayed. Many others were in the 



BAPTISM OF A CONVERTED PRISONER. ]?! 

room — some standing — others kneeling — some weeping, 
and others careless. I spoke a few words to those 
around, warning them against a sick-bed repentance. He 
expired, leaving us to fear that he also had exchanged 
this for the prison-house of eternity. 

We used our endeavors to have a funeral sermon, but 
to no effect. It will be observed in this instance, that 
the door was opened wider, than at any previous time. 
Notice further advances. Keeping in mind the charac- 
ter of our officers — the strict rules, and the odious name 
we bore, how plain is the " good hand of our God !" 

THE CLOSING YEAR. 

Just fifty-two weeks had passed away, when we were 
permitted to witness a very interesting scene. After 
preaching, W. G. was called forth by the minister (an 
Episcopalian), and questioned respecting his desire for 
baptism. Many of the prisoners accompanied him to 
the river — and a crowd of citizens was present to wit- 
ness the ceremony. 

As we stood upon the shore, while the sun was send- 
ing forth its last rays, from the West — there to unite in 
solemn prayer and praise to the Redeemer, and behold a 
dear brother publicly covenant to be the Lord's — to cru- 
cify the flesh — to resist the devil, and live only for the 
Savior. O ! it was delightful f Who can imagine our 
joy, and exultation, as we returned to our " hallowed 
cell," to render thanksgiving to God for the wonderful 
things He had shown us in the penitentiary during the 
year that was then closing 1 In looking back, and view- 
ing our Father's hand at every step, we " thanked God, 
and took courage" — hoping and praying for still greater 
blessings, which were -abundantly bestowed in the suc- 
ceeding year. 

THE SLEEPING GUARD. 

James, with myself, and one other, were at work in 
the city — our guard went to sleep — he was reported to 
Capt. G., who accosted him about it, and said to him, 
" These men do not need any one to guard them — but 



182 THE DYING PRISONER. 

when I hire a guard, I want him to pay attention to his 
business, and do his duty." Reader, what think youl 
" When a man's ways please the Lord, He maketh even 
his enemies to be at peace with him" — so we found it. 

Oct. 15. A prisoner, who ate his dinner as usual, was 
taken with convulsive fits, and narrowly escaped with 
his life. 

Oct. 17. An old man died, who had been sick a long 
time. We had no opportunity of conversing with him. 
He was a Catholic. 

Oct. 19. I obtained permission of Pope G., to go 
out and get some grapes, while my lathe was occupied 
by another. On my way, I met Capt. G. " Which way, 
Thompson V 9 u I was going to get some grapes, sir, 
while my lathe is occupied." " Ah, Thompson, that 
won't count. I can find something for you to do." I 
returned with him, but God recompensed his covetous- 
ness a hundred fold ; for on that same day, three valua- 
ble hands ran away ! 

Thus whenever they have attempted to afflict and 
oppress us, the hand of the Lord, in some judgment, has 
fallen heavily upon them ! 

THIRD DEATH-BED SCENE. 

Alanson's shop-mate had been unable to work, for a 
long time, and about the middle of October was confined 
to his bed, from which he never arose. He all the time 
had his reason, failed gradually, and sank in death. On 
the twentieth Alanson talked with him. He expressed 
no fears of death, but did not wish to die in a penitenti- 
ary ! As if it would be thrown up to him in the eter- 
nal world — even in heaven ! And this is the feeling of 
most here — that it is a great disgrace to themselves and 
their friends, to have it said of them, " He died in a 
penitentiary !" And the same objection they have to 
getting religion here — put it off, promising to attend to 
it when they get free ! But the monster needs none of 
these objections and excuses. He comes, and with re- 
lentless grasp lays his cold hand upon them — 



AWFUL COMMINGLING OF GROANS. 183 

" Pursues them close, thro' every lane of life ; 
Nor misses once the track ; but presses on, 
Till, forc'd at last to the tremendous verge, 
At once they sink ******/» 

During the day, James went in to see him. Another 
prisoner, a physician, was standing by. The sick man 
looked on them and said, " one a physician of the body ; 
the other, of the soul." That night, James and myself 
sat up with him. I asked, is Jesus near? " J hope so." 
Is he precious? " Yes." Are you willing to die? 
" Yes ; but I would like to see my wife and child. " 
He then gave me a message to send to his wife, which I 
gave to Pope Gorden. Capt. Burch had just been to see 
him — left and went to the guard room ; called out a 
number of prisoners; and while the long, mournful 
groans of the dying man were ringing through the 
hollow-sounding hall, at the same time, were mingled 
with them the noise of the strap and paddle joined to 
the shrieks and cries for mercy, of another fellow-pri- 
soner, beneath the torture ! ! 

O ! it was an awful mingling of strange and discord- 
ant sounds ! 

But such is the hardening influence of slavery , slave- 
ry, SLAVERY ! 

The poor man died at half past nine. We laid him 
out, and staid with him the rest of the night, busying 
ourselves in reading. 

The death of this man caused some solemnity among 
the officers, for they thought much of him. It was also 
a loud call to Alanson, as he was taken from his side, 
and from before his face. 

The whole business of chair-making now devolved on 
Alanson, bringing with it a weight of responsibility and 
care. It also brought him more into notice, and afford- 
ed him more frequent opportunities of speaking a word 
for the honor of his Master. 

EXPERIENCE MEETING. 

Nov. 6. After shaving, the usual three were locked 
up with us to study the Bible, sing and pray. We then 



184 CRIME AND EXPERIENCE OF W. G. 

had an experience-telling exercise, which was very in- 
teresting and profitable, as it made us better acquainted 
with each other's souls. 

W. G., before he committed the crime for which he 
came here, had been anxious for his soul, and felt the 
importance of being a genuine Christian. But a neigh- 
bor of his had threatened his life, and was watching for 
an opportunity to shoot him ; so that he was in constant 
fear, day and night. He was much agitated. He felt 
he was not in a proper state of mind to repent, as he 
would be liable to be influenced only by fear ; and his 
mind was so confused he could not bring it to bear upon 
the subject long enough to accomplish the work. He was 
in great distress lest he should be killed and go to hell. 
And under this excited state of mind he was influenced 
to take the life of his enemy, not because he hated the 
man, nor because the man had injured him, nor merely 
to save his own life, but that he might have an opportu- 
nity to repent of his sins in a proper frame of mind ! 
He felt that the act was very wrong, but felt impelled to 
do it, rather than be killed himself and go to hell. He 
was apprehended and put in prison to await trial. As 
he was on his way to the jail, he yielded his heart to 
God, while riding along the road ; light and peace broke 
in upon his mind, and he was happy.* Everything ap- 
peared new ; he felt himself a new man, but was doubt- 
ful whether this was religion. (For the man was very 
ignorant, and learned to read in jail.) He talked with 
one of the guard, who was a baptist professor, who told 
him his experience, and began to speak of his hope. 
This was too dry for the new-born soul ; he broke out, 
" My religion is better than that ; it is stronger than a 
hope ; I feel that I have it in possession." 

In jail, he read his Bible from morning till night, with 
much prayer, and was filled with joy and peace unutter- 
able. 

Then he could look at death and rejoice. He was 

* It should be understood, that some considerable time elapsed after the 
commission of the crime, before his arrest. 



A QUESTION. 185 

tried, and sentenced to be hung ; the day of execution 
came ; his funeral sermon was preached on the gallows- 
stand ; the sheriff showed him his watch and said, " You 
have six minutes, sir, to live." During all this, his 
mind remained calm and unruffled ; " none of these 
things moved him;" his wife and children he had com- 
mitted to God ; himself, resigned to his will, he felt 
ready and longed " to depart and be with Christ." But 
before the time had expired, a reprieve from the Gover- 
nor came, saving his life, and sentencing him for ten years 
to the penitentiary. Said he, " When the reprieve was 
read to me, I felt really disappointed. I felt that it 
would be better to die, than suffer the imprisonment." 
He seems to be fast ripening, either for some station of 
usefulness, or for heaven. He is willing to do anything 
for his Master. There dwells within him a warm heart 
— a choice spirit — a noble soul. 

In the afternoon we had preaching — after which, I 
again requested the minister to administer the Lord's 
supper, not only to us, but to the other two brethren.* 
He acknowledged the propriety of the thing, and pro- 
mised to consult with the wardens, but w T e heard no 
more of it. I continued to administer the ordinance 
myself to the brethren. 



CHAPTER VI. 

PRISON SCENES— VISITS— REFLECTIONS, ETC. 
THE STRONGEST TEXT. 

November 12th was quite cold. W. G. had come to 
our cell as usual. Our clothing being thin, our blankets 
few, and our bed broad, we all crowded therein, with our 
heads raised so that we could read, and thus we studied 

* See note on pp. 147, 148. 



186 THE BRETHREN, CAPT. B., AND A SENATOR. 

the Bible, fed the lamb, and strengthened each other. 
While we were engaged in this manner, Capt. Burch and 
a Senator came into the cell. I arose, but the others 
clung to their warm nest. Capt. B. began — " G., what 
is their strongest text to support their doctrine V 9 — (abo- 
lition.) G. not comprehending his meaning, and being 
confused, we replied, w T e do not teach any particular 
doctrine, except that a man repent of his sins, and love 
God. We can fellowship all who give evidence of be- 
ing Christians. "But how will you judge?" By the 
Bible, sir. " But the Universalists and others take the 
Bible." Yes, but " by their fruits shall ye know them." 
Capt. B. still wished to enquire of G. about the doctrine 
we taught. We said, we have not attempted to instil 
abolition into the mind of G., as that subject is not 
allowed here. He replied, " But placed as you are here, 
you can't help talking — and having so good an opportu- 
nity, you must converse on the subject. I know that 
the prisoners talk ; I know that I give rules which are 
not kept fifteen minutes, and I don't expect they will be 
kept when I give them." But we have the fear of God 
before our eyes, said James. -'And so do I have the 
fear of God before wie," replied the scorched and fiery 
drunkard. Then turning to the Senator, he said, " Their 
doctrine is a reasonable one — that 'all men are born free 
and equal.' I agree with them in the theory, but when 
it comes to the practice of it, I can't go with them." 
The Senator asked, " Is there no w r ay for the men to 
keep warm on the Sabbath V 9 " No other than that you 
see," said Capt. B., pointing to those in the bed. 

Nov. 30. Mr. Slocumb, a Presbyterian minister, and 
Hinton, a Baptist, came to talk with us. They were 
very friendly, gave cheering consolation, and argued the 
subject of abolition. They said to me — " You are a 
professor of religion I suppose?" Yes, sir. "You 
think you enjoy yourself here V 9 I know I do — I am 
contented and happy. 

The next Sabbath, Mr. S. preached for us ; and then, 
for the first time, all the prisoners were assembled in 
one room — the carpenter's shop. A Methodist minister, 



can't go the practice. 187 

from town, came with him ; and after preaching, they 
both, with Pope G., came to our cell. 

MESSRS. SLOCUMB AND CHANDLER. 

Mr. S. made many inquiries about us — names, resi- 
dence, sentence, &c. Said he, " It is hard, is it not?' 
No sir, it is good to be here, I replied. Alanson said, 
it is not pleasant to the flesh, but the confidence that it 
will work for good makes us happy. He was very 
anxious to try and do something ic to bring us out of this 
place ;" and as the giving up of our principles seemed to 
be the pivot on which our deliverance turned, he was 
anxious to convince us of our error, as he called it, and 
bring us to look at the subject in its true light. " For, 
until you can see and say that you have done wrong, and 
will do so no more, I feel that all I can do for you here, 
with this people will be of little avail." Accordingly 
they tried their reasoning faculties, to convince us that 
what we did was legally and morally wrong, bringing 
the old illustrations of the sheep, horse, salt, &c. The 
same kind of strange infatuation, and blind, mock rea- 
soning, we had heard so often, that it was disgusting to 
us. We told them plainly, that we could conceive of 
no such thing as the slave being comparable to a horse 
—that we could not admit the principle of property in 
man. We contended, " The slave is a ?na?i, and as such 
has an indisputable right to himself, to his earnings, and 
to his liberty (unless forfeited by crime), and it is but 
just and right to use any lawful means to aid him in ob- 
taining that of which he has been so unjustly and inhu- 
manly deprived." Mr. S. confessed that if he was in a 
free state, and a slave should ask his assistance, he would 
help him — not as a slave, but as he would any other 
man. Said he, " I would ask no questions — I would 
not stop him." Mr. Chandler said, " We will allow our 
abolition friends to go thus far— they may help them 
after they get into a free state. They need not stop nor 
return them, but assist them if they choose." He also 
acknowledged, " We ought to obey God rather than 
man " — that where human laws clashed with the divine. 



188 WHEN YOU MAY ASSIST SLAVES. 

we ought to refuse allegiance to the former, even unto 
death. And again, he said, " I see no reason why the 
whites should not be slaves, as well as the blacks." 

REFLECTIONS. 

They both contended that it would be larceny „to de- 
prive the owner of his slave, whether by enticing, 
threatening, forcing, or any other way, while he is in a 
slave state ; but that it would be just and right to help 
him after he had escaped ! What logic ! How perfect- 
ly does slavery blind the eyes and pervert the mind and 
reason of those under its influence ! According to their 
doctrine, one man may help a slave across the river ; 
another may take him to Canada. The former is guilty 
of grand larceny, the latter " has done that which is just 
and right." 

The very men who charge us with breaking the laws 
of God and man, in our attempt to aid a poor slave, on 
one side of the river, say they would help him, if he was 
on the other side ! 

If a man comes into Missouri, and steals a horse — 
takes him into a free state, and delivers him up to ano- 
ther, the latter is not justified, but considered just as 
guilty as the former. But according to the reasoning of 
Missouri moralists, he should be fully acquitted. The 
slave is property — the horse is property ; both are taken 
from Missouri to a free State, and delivered up to ano- 
ther — parallel cases. But here they are not so fond of 
their horse illustrations. They are unwilling to carry 
out their principles. The man who helps away the 
property of another, after his comrade has brought it 
across the river is accessory to the crime, and as guilty 
as the principal — so pronounced by the laws of God and 
man. Now mark — if the slave is property while west 
of the Mississippi river, he is when east of it ; for cer- 
tainly the bare crossing a river cannot change a chattel 
into a man — cannot deprive of legal ownership — cannot 
destroy the right to recover that which has escaped; 
and if it is property, whether horse or slave, that has 
crossed into a free State, then to assist that property in 



THE SLAVE NOT PROPERTY. 189 

escaping from its owner — to prevent his recovering what 
is legally his own, is evidently wrong. But slavehold- 
ers tell us we may help the slaves, after they get into a 
free state — we may assist them in their struggles for 
"liberty and the pursuit of happiness." So said Gov. 
Reynolds, so say the clergymen of Missouri, and so 
say we. 

And when they have granted this, they have virtually 
said what we affirmed, that the slave is not pro- 
perty. As I said one day to Dr. Moore, so long as the 
slave is possessed of a rational mind — an immortal soul, 
it is out of the power of any or all human legislation, to 
change him into a piece of property. Rob him of these 
grand distinctions, and his body may be made a chattel, 
but not till then. After all the legislation, he is still a 
man ; and the laws of sympathy, of kindness, of huma- 
nity, and of God, are as binding upon us respecting 
him in his low, suffering condition, as in reference to 
any other man in afflictive circumstances. In view of 
the foregoing, then, our enemies themselves being 
Judges, when brought to the bar of reason, it is right to 
help the slave in a free state — thereby depriving them of 
what they call property — but which has been shown 
from their own concessions, not to be property — other- 
wise it would be wrong to deprive them of it. 

GIVING UP OUR PRINCIPLES. 

Dec. 18. Mr. Slocumb again preached for us, and 
came again to our cell for further conversation. He 
said he had talked with the Governor about us, who 
thought we might do much good if we would correspond 
with our friends, and entreat them to desist from their 
exciting work. u If this can be stopped, and you are 
willing to use your influence to accomplish the work, 
then he (the Governor), may do something for you. But 
if you persist in your course, and maintain your princi- 
ples, you will have to stay your whole time out. You 
could have much influence with your friends, if you 
would only give up, make it known to them, and beg 
them to refrain and be quiet. You suffer on account of 



190 SWEETER THAN LIBERTY. 

what they do, and you will have to stay your whole 
twelve years, unless your friends stop." How clear 
that it is not felony, but doctrine, that locks the doors 
upon us. If we are willing to renounce our principles, 
and manifest the sincerity of our abjuration, by persuad- 
ing our friends to do the same, or to hold their peace, 
and not speak against slavery, then the Governor will 
begin to think about letting us go ! 

There is a something sweeter to us than liberty— namely, 
a clear conscience and our principles respecting " hu- 
man rights." Liberty '• It is but trash when put up 
as a price for the renunciation of those great principles, 
founded on that immoveable basis — the word of God. 
Yes, when we deem them too dear to be bought or 
bribed away from us by life, even much less by what is 
called liberty ! 

THE LEGISLATORS. 

During the sitting of the legislature, we were often 
visited by crowds of the members, who would inquire, 
dodge, and look, to get a view of the abolitionists, and 
then gaze and stare, more like idiots than statesmen ! 

On the 25th of December (Sabbath), four of them 
came to our cell to "gratify their curiosity," and learn 
our principles respecting helping the poor. 

They inquired how we felt about the deed which 
brought us here. We answered, " We feel that we 
acted imprudently, but that we did not sin." They con- 
fessed that slavery w r as wrong ; " But how shall we do 1 
Our legislative bodies know not what course to adopt." 
Said I, " send your statesmen to me, I can tell them 
what to do, very quick." " Well, here are four legisla- 
tors, you can tell us." " Why just stop doing wrong. 
Abolish your wicked oppressive laws, and at once enact 
those which are just and righteous. Just take your foot 
olf the neck of the slave and let him get up ; and no ' 
longer rob, spoil, whip, and oppress him." 

" ! if we do that, they will cut their masters' 
throats, and raise insurrections !" 

Sirs, which is most calculated to exasperate them to 



PREACHING ANTI-SLAVERY. 191 

such desperation, robbing them of everything that is dear 
in life, and acting the part of a cruel tyrant towards them 
— or paying them for their work, and treating them kind- 
ly 1 If they do not rise up and cut your throats w r hen 
you are heaping all manner of abuse and outrage upon 
them, is it at all according to reason, observation, or good 
sense, that they will be thus enraged because you come 
to them in the spirit of kindness, and say, " I have been 
treating you wrongfully ; I am sorry for it, I will do so 
no more. You are all free men ; and now if you will 
work for me, I will pay you your wages." Is it the na- 
ture of kindness to provoke? They could not get 
over it. 

I appealed to the Bible in support of my positions. 
He replied, " I do not pretend to be a religious man, 
who takes the Bible for his guide." Suffice it to say, 
we gave them a compendium of abolitionism, which 
was not very palatable. And we rejoiced in having 
the privilege of lecturing boldly in the centre of Mis- 
souri. Here we may preach the strongest anti-slavery 
to ministers and statesmen, and no man dare lay his 
hands on us. Here we can pray and " cry aloud," 
with no fear of molestation! Behold the wisdom of 
God. 

RENUNCIATION AGAIN. 

While pursuing our avocations, we were all three 
called for to go to the guard room, where we found Mr. 
Slocumb and James Gallaher waiting for an interview 
with us. Mr. S. was very anxious to induce us to con- 
cede, so far as to secure executive clemency, in our be- 
half, as also Mr. G. 

Mr. S. " Can you not feel and say that you have 
done wrong — that your views were mistaken and un- 
sound ? How far can you, in conscience, renounce 
them'? I may secure the influence and talent of the 
Legislators in your favor. If you continue to persist, 
and refuse to yield and confess publicly, there is 
no hope of doing anything for you. Petitions will be 
of no avail, and all that I or any other man can say id 



192 RENUNCIATION. 

your behalf will be in vain so long as you remain inflexi- 
ble on this subject. 

I have talked with the members respecting your case ; 
and the other evening I met a large room full of them, 
to whom I mentioned the subject of your deliverance. 
Those who were from the interior and back parts of the 
state, who bad heard and felt but little of the excitement, 
would con er-e with calmness, and reason upon the sub- 
ject ; I ut those from the eastern borders would take fire 
in an instant at the mention of the thing, and were so ex- 
cited that they could not speak of it but in very harsh 
language. 

He spoke of the increasing excitement in the commu- 
nity, and said, " If this state of things continues, it will 
tear us all to pieces as a nation, and fill our land with 
carnage and blood ; but if you will only renounce your 
views, it will have a tendency to quell the excitement 
and cool down the abolition fever." 

Mr. Gallaher also said — " I have no doubt that if it was 
known to the people of Missouri that you had given up 
your principles, they would very soon be reconciled and 
willing to sign a petition for your release. If the exci- 
ting cause could be removed they would easily forgive 
and forget, and you would be delivered. But so long as 
that remains which caused the irritation, — hatred and pre- 
judice, — any effort for your deliverance will be useless." 

As Mr. S. wished some answer, full and definite, and 
not having sufficient time then, I proposed writing out 
our views and feelings, frankly and fully, that it 
might be known just where we stood — what we could do, 
and what we could not do. They wished it written in 
such a manner that it could be published (hoping it 
would be of such a character as would please slave- 
holders), so that the people might be induced to act for 
us. I accordingly wrote ; and as the letter cannot 
be obtained, I will give the substance of what we ad- 
dressed " To the Governor and Legislature of Mis- 
souri, — Men, brethren, and fathers," &c. We stated 
how long we had been here — how cheerfully we had 
toiled, and contented and happy we had been, amid all 



ADDRESS TO THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE. 193 

our sufferings— the thing we attempted to do, namely 
to help a poor man across the river, who asked for our 
assistance, and the feeling which prompted us, pure love 
— that we had no other feeling than love, toward those 
who had been most active in sending and holding us 
here — that we would as soon help the most bitter ene- 
my we had as the most wretched slave living — that we 
should remain cheerfully and work faithfully, just so 
long as they saw proper to hold us. We stated plainly 
how far we could go, and how far we could not go, that 
we could not refuse to " open our mouth for the dumb," 
for God had commanded it — that we must " cry aloud, 
and spare not, and show the people their sins," for it 
was heaven's injunction — that we could not assist to re- 
turn, or stop their slaves who escaped, for God had said, 
" Thou shalt not deliver unto his master, the servant 
that is escaped," and wo to those do it — that we could 
not say we would not Ae/jo them on their way, forthis was 
commanded by God — that we could not give up one 
single principle which we conceived to be truth, and 
founded on the word of God, for liberty, or life itself- — 
that much as we valued the blessings of freedom, of 
Christian society, and the house of God, and ardently as 
we longed to be preaching the gospel to those in mid- 
night darkness, we could not, on any conditions, purchase 
these privileges, by any act, which we should lament 
on a death bed, or at the day of judgment. That if they 
wished us to say, we would not come to this State, to 
help slaves away, so far we could promise, and no fur- 
ther (not because it would be sinful so to do, but unsafe) 
— that our writing to our friends w T ould not stop the ex- 
citement ; for it was their putting us here that caused, 
and their holding us here, that continued the excitement, 
and all they could do or say, while they held us, would 
only be pouring oil on the fire — that if they wished to 
stop the excitement, they must let us go. We informed 
them that in sending us here, they had confined three 
men, who could not say or do much, any how; but in 
consequence, thousands had arisen, and would rise up 
in their stead, who could speak, write, and act with effi- 

*9 



194 SUFFERINGS FROM COLD. 

ciency and power — that though we had been, by an 
earthly tribunal, condemned, we had taken an appeal to 
the court of the universe, which was recorded — that 
there we were sure of being acquitted, for Jesus Him- 
self, would be our advocate and Judge. 

We reminded them of the tears, groans, and prayers 
of the widow and fatherless (Mrs. Work and family) 
which they must meet at the last day, and other things 
not now recollected. What was the effect, perhaps will 
not be known till it is divulged to an assembled world. 
We followed it with many prayers, but heard nothing of 
it, till about four months afterwards. Mr. Gallaher call- 
ed again — said he saw it at the office of the Governor. 
" but it was rather too high toned to suit." 

REFLECTIONS. 

From the foregoing (as also from more that will come 
hereafter) what can be more evident, than the fact before 
affirmed, that it is our sentiments respecting slavery, that 
placed and detain us here in the penitentiary? And 
that too, in a land of liberty ! where freedom of thouo-ht 
is allowed, and liberty of expression tolerated ! Yes, it 
is clear, " Put a gag in your mouth — wear our slavery 
goggles — sear your conscience — harden your heart- — stop 
your' ears against the cry of the poor' — stupify and de- 
stroy your moral sensibility, so that you can connive at 
slavery, then we will sign a petition, and use our utmost 
endeavors to have you speedily set at liberty !" Such is 
the plain English of their propositions and actions. 
" Doctrine ! doctrine !" Yes, blessed be God, that it is 
doctrine, and not crime. For our doctrine we rejoice to 
suffer, and to lay down our lives, if need be. 

CLOTHING DURING THE WINTER OF '42 and '43. 

As the conduct of Capts. B. and G., had been such 
toward the prisoners, that they had little or no hop.' of 
being able to lease the establishment again, they were 
desirous to expend as little as possible, and make as 
much of what they had, as they could — and so did not 
buy any fresh supply of winter clothing ; but arrayed 



PATIENT IN TRIBULATION. 195 

us in the mock covering of the patched rags, sawed from 
the fire, leaving many of the prisoners to suffer extreme- 
ly, by day and night. Some, who were more adept at 
stealing, and "shirking for themselves," wore two pair 
of summer pantaloons — others, and the majority, were 
dressed in the had-been clothes. Many, during all the 
severities of winter, had nothing but a shirt, a once-was 
roundabout, a thread-bare cotton pair of trowsers, a pair 
of shoes, and perhaps an old pair of socks, and perhaps 
not. Neither was there a change of shirts, but if we 
wished a clean one, we must go without, till it could be 
washed and dried. 

In this plight we were driven through wet and dry, 
rain and snow, cold and heat. I myself, with others, 
worked in town, on the top of buildings, in winter's 
piercing days, with only my thin, ragged, cotton panta- 
loons to shield my body from the sleet and winds — chill- 
ed from morning to night. But by most, the night was 
more dreaded than the day — for instead of bringing them 
release from their sufferings, it only added to them. 
Their covering was so Very insufficient, that they could 
with difficulty keep from freezing. We know from our 
own experience, what it was, though many were much 
w r orse off than we. With many, getting warm in a cold 
night, was altogether out of the question. And during 
the latter part of the winter, the rags would scarcely 
hang together. With numbers, they were not sufficient 
to cover their nakedness, as legislators and others can 
testify. Some were driven to such extremities, that 
they were obliged to buckle their blankets about them, to 
hide their naked bodies ! 0, we were a pitiable compa- 
ny indeed ! Our appearance, even, made the legislators 
turn their heads, and draw their faces with scowls of pity. 
Let no one think this is the language of murmuring 
and complaint. We had better than we deserved ; and 
felt that we received what infinite love, wisdom, and 
goodness saw best for us. And from these trying cir- 
cumstances we learned many important lessons. We 
were reminded of thousands in a worse state. We 
learned sympathy for the poor — " to feel another's 



196 TREATMENT OF THE SICK. 

woes," to pray for the needy and destitute. As oui 
tribulation abounded, so our consolation abounded, " that 
we might be able to comfort them which are in any 
trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are com- 
forted of God." We can testify to his faithfulness, in 
supporting and comforting his little ones, even in fiery 
trials and deep waters, if they will only trust in Him. 
We can testify to the sufficiency of religion, to make its 
possessors happy, in the absence of outward comforts— 
in the midst of deprivations, hunger, cold, and nakedness 
— in sickness, poverty, and reproach — in prisons, chains, 
and weariness. O, it was then, that religion was sweet 
to our souls, and seemed more lovely than ever. 

TREATMENT OF THE SICK UNDER G. AND B. 

It was their language to the prisoners, " We don't 
wish any man to work, who is sick," but their actions, 
which spoke louder than their words, were quite different. 
Men did have to work when they were sick, and scarce 
ly able to walk. And I have seen the poor sufferers 
driven like beasts, to labor in piercing cold weather, 
when they were shaken like an aspen leaf, with the ague 
— others that could with difficulty walk straight, ordered 
to their " burdens" — others who could hardly hold up 
their heads, compelled to continue their work, and others 
were driven till they could go no longer, and fell to the 
ground in a swoon ! 

I was not thus with all — there were some favorites, 
to whom they paid more regard. The diet of the sick 
was almost uniformly, a little mush and molasses. 
Those who were not able to be about some business, 
w T ere frequently locked in their cold cells, not even al- 
lowed to come to the fire — and that too, in severe win- 
ter weather. But this was not always the case. 

If a man was sick on the Sabbath, it was all well 
enough — but if on a week day, a storm of oaths and 
curses, complaints, and lies, might be looked for, from 
the officers. The Doctor came two or three times a 
w r eek — and when he was here, it would remind one of 
the sick, halt, maimed, and blind, at the pool of Bethes- 



THE BLIGHT OF SLAVERY. 3 97 

ca, awaiting a cure — to see them linger around the door, 
each waiting his turn to be called before him. It mat- 
tered not much what the complaint was, a dose of pills 
was the usual medicine, to be swallowed with cold water. 
We have great reason for gratitude, that w T e had not 
much need of his services. And when they were con- 
fined to their beds of straw, or hard boards, they had no 
soothing voice, to cheer and comfort them — no angel- 
hand to minister to their necessities — but it was rough- 
ness, indifference and neglect. One man, who was sick 
and confined to his cell for two weeks, had no one to sit 
up with him, nor even a light , till the night he died. 

Toward the latter part of the time of these wardens, 
the sick, who were confined to their beds, had a little 
better attendance — some one to wait on them a little dur- 
ing the day, and to sit up with them at night. 

Now to what shall we trace the cause of this inhu- 
manity, this driving, this indifference to another's woes 1 
Is it thus in civilized countries 1 Are the sick thus treat- 
ed in prisons, where slavery does not exist 1 It is a 
well known fact that slaves are treated similarly, and 
worse — half-naked, half-starved, driven early and late, 
urged on by the lash, their aches and pains disre- 
garded, and when they can go no longer, cursed, because 
they can't work. 

Yes, to the influence of slavery in hardening the heart, 
and creating a habit of treading down the poor, must be 
ascribed the reason of this barbarity. 

O, slavery, thou cruel monster ! when will thy 
death-knell be proclaimed, and from thy curse, my 
countrymen and brethren be redeemed 1 



198 INTELLIGENCE FROM THE LORD. 



CHAPTER VII. 

TERM OF CAPTS. GORDEN AND BURCH CLOSING 

PRAYER FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WORLD. 

January 1st, 1843, we observed as a day of fasting and 
prayer, for the conversion of the world. Though shut 
up in prison, we could not feel ourselves released from 
obligation to those who sit in the " region and shadow 
of death." And though by providence prevented from 
going to them — from calling on the servants of God to 
awake — from uniting vocally with the thousands of 
Israel — yet in heart we rejoiced to unite in seeking 
Zion's welfare, by beseeching her King to extend and 
multiply her victories, till the nations should cheer- 
fully submit to his sway. Placed as we were, we knew 
comparatively little respecting the state of the Church, 
and the world — the position the two contending armies 
maintained in relation to each other, consequently we 
could not pray so definitely as others — yet we had the 
great directory, the prophecies and promises of ourLord ; 
and on his faithfulness, we could cast ourselves, and 
plead their speedy fulfilment. 

Frequently we were favored with the perusal of va- 
rious newspapers, from which we kept a general idea of 
the condition of the world. At times we have been con- 
strained to shout aloud, by the intelligence of the on- 
ward march of truth and liberty ! And we have been 
encouraged to pray that God would " overturn, overturn, 
overturn," till the kingdoms of this world should be- 
come the kingdoms of our Lord, and his Christ" — that 
he might " reign for ever and ever." 

By law, we were forbidden " to receive any periodi- 
cal." How did we get them'? The Lord sent them. 
His wisdom and power, found ways enough to convey 



SUDDEN DEATH. 199 

to us such intelligence, respecting his cause, as we most 
needed, and at the time we were in the greatest want of 
it, thus cheering our souls, and increasing our faith. If 
we were praying for the Jews, and ardently wishing to 
know what was the prospect of their return and conver- 
sion, a paper or a piece of one has fallen in our way, giv- 
ing us the desired knowledge, which we received as from 
God. 

If we were imploring the blessing of heaven on the 
representatives of our nation assembled at the Capitol, 
in due time, God has sent us the intelligence, that taught 
us how, and what to pray for in their behalf — that they 
might repeal all unholy and oppressive laws — u execu- 
tive judgment" — " break every yoke," and " let the op- 
pressed go free." To the distant rumblings of the cha- 
riot, we have listened with attention, marked the move- 
ments of providence, and the signs of the times," watch- 
ing for the dawning of that day, when " the wickedness 
of the wicked shall come to an end," and the earth be 
filled with the glory of God. 

Thus our heavenly Father has been faithful to send 
us just the things we needed, and we have " lacked no 
good thing" 

Jan. 2. While p. number of prisoners were at work 
about seven miles distant, one was taken unwell, quit 
work, became speechless, and died in a short time. He 
was a wicked man — was brought here and buried. 

THE SYMPATHIZING GUARD. 

About the middle of January, James, myself, and three 
others, were finishing off a house in town. By the fire, 
I talked considerably with the guard. Among other 
things, he said " There are many who sympathize with 
you ; and if you conduct yourselves as you have thus far, 
you will not stay your time out. The Book tells us 
; ' that all things work for good to Ihem who love God" 
— not a part, but all things — and this dispensation, 
undoubtedly will be for your best good" &c. So we be- 
lieve, felt, and knew, for He cannot lie that has pro- 
mised." 



200 SICK-BEDS PROFITABLE. 

Jan. 26. 1 went to the cell of W. S., who was very 
sick with pleurisy, to converse about his soul. I asked, 
are you ready to die 1 He replied, " Yes, long ago." 
Do you think you would be happy 1 " Yes." Are you 
willing to die ? " Yes." Can you commit your family 
to God, and trust Him to take care of them 1 "I can ; 
I leave them with him. If it is his will, that I should 
die now, I am satisfied." I then prayed with him. 
Hereafter, it will be observed, we were with the sick 
considerably. To enjoy the privilege of talking and 
praying with them, we esteemed an invaluable blessing. 
And I wonder, Christians are not more anxious to get 
around the beds of the sick, and dying. It is so profit- 
able to the sick and well — the dying, and the living ! 
Why is it, they are so backward ? Is it because they 
do not like to be so forcibly reminded of their own desti- 
ny 1 Of this, we cannot think too much ; nor be too 
well prepared, to u depart, and be with Christ." 

FOURTH DEATH-BED SCENE. 

C. was a cripple, in his hands and legs; and had en- 
dured a great amount of suffering in his time. As he 
could not work, he had been the principal one to sit up 
with, and wait on the sick, for some time. He had at- 
tended on a number, till their spirits took their flight. 
He was present at the second and third death-bed scene. 
But now (February), his time came to be waited upon, 
and ministered unto. James was with him one night — 
Alanson two, and myself five nights. At these times 
another sat up with us, thus giving us an opportunity to 
converse freely with them, which we endeavored to im- 
prove. During the three last nights I was with him, 
and had frequent occasions to speak a word for my 
Master, as many came in to see him. At one time, I 
talked with the overseer, who came in, and remarked, 
" Oh ! it would be better for him to die, if he was pre- 
pared — that he might be freed from his troubles, and 
sufferings." I spoke of the importance of being ready 
to die, at any time — and mentioned the case of Moses 
Hunter, who said, on his dying bed, " My work of pre- 



DISHONESTY OF OFFICERS. 201 

paration for death, was done years ago.'' Ke listened 
attentively, and seriously. On the night of the eleventh, 
as the sick man appeared rational, I asked, Do you feel 
that your sins are forgiven? He replied, " Yes." If 
you should die now, do you expect to be happy ? " Yes." 
Are you willing to die 1 " Yes." Shall I pray with you ? 
" Yes." I did so. At one time, he seemed very earnest 
in prayer himself. I could not understand all he said, 
but he closed distinctly, "for Jesus' sake, Amen." He 
soon died, and was buried as abrute isburied. I was fearful 
he was trusting to his morality, but the j udgment will show. 

VARIOUS INCIDENTS. 

Many of the prisoners come here, dressed in the high- 
est style, expecting to have their clothes again, when 
they go out into the world. The law also makes such 
provision. But the best of the clothes were taken by 
the officers, and sold — the proceeds of which, they put 
into their own pockets — thus as really stealing, and 
robbing, as did the thieves who wore tnem here ! 

Frequently prisoners brought money with them which 
was never returned. And when men had served their 
time out, they were put off with some ordinary, half- 
worn, and perhaps patched suit of clothes; with, it may 
be, one dollar; some, fifty cents; some, one shilling; 
and some, nothing, to go forth into a strange and hostile 
world ; thus, as it were, driven, or at least tempted to 
steal again, the first opportunity. 

And the most of the remaining clothes which were 
w r orn here were given to the men inside, to cover their 
nakedness during their last winter, and worn out, to save 
them from buying any new supply ! 

Such was the honesty of men placed over thieves to 
reform them ! 

ardent spirits. 

Many of the prisoners have frankly confessed — " It 
was whisky that brought me here. Had it not been for 
whisky, I should never have been here," &c. With 
many it has been the immediate cause of their coming 

9* 



202 INTEMPERANCE AND CRIMIi:. 

here, and with others the remote. The immediate is 
where they have committed the crime under the influ- 
ence of liquor. This class is numerous. Again, by 
drinking they have been led into bad company, and 
thus tempted to do what they would not have done un- 
der other circumstances. Of this class there are many. 

A case of the remote cause. C. lived in N. Y., and 
was much given to drinking. At a time when there was 
a demand for soldiers in the west, he enlisted when he 
was drunk, was shipped to New Orleans, and from there 
up the Missouri river, to one of the forts. After a time 
he deserted, stole a skiff, and was coming down the 
river, when a colored man asked the privilege of riding 
with him. He took him in ; but at St. Charles was ar- 
rested, put in jail, tried for stealing a slave, and sentenced 
here for seven years. Though years intervened between 
his being drunk and his coming to the penitentiary, yet 
how obvious is it that whisky was the cause. He felt 
so. 

P. R. cannot read. He was drunk, and traveling to 
a certain place. A slave with whom he was acquainted 
had stolen two of his master's horses, overtook R.,and 
asked him to ride, saying, " I am going to the same 
place." He mounted the horse, but when he became a 
little sober he learned that the slave was running away ; 
divulged the fact at a tavern ; was arrested ; charged 
with stealing the slave, and sent here for two years. 

I might trace some causes even more remotely. Many 
are here for stealing, stabbing, murdering, &c, in a fit 
of intoxication. Others, who never stole or did any fla- 
grant crime, by drinking, have associated with thieves 
and such characters, have been taken up on suspicion 
and sent here. And were the real truth known, doubt- 
less it would appear that alcoholic drinks have been the 
proximate or remote cause of three fourths of the priso- 
ners coming here. O ! the misery, despair, and death 
of the intoxicating glass ! 

J. J. is a free colored man. A slave girl, in or near 
St. Louis, had an iron yoke on her neck, which, she 
complained was choking her. Ha took a file and cut it 



A NOVEL CASE. 203 

off. For this he was arrested, charged with stealing the 
girl, and sent here for three and a half years, which he 
faithfully served I What will they not make out 
"stealing" next? This is only a specimen of slave- 
holding justice. Truly a man must be careful how he 
looks at a slave, lest his pity should move ! 

J. J. took it very cheerfully, felt that he was suffer- 
ing in a good cause, and would do the same again if 
occasion required. 

THE HYPOCRITE ! 

J. C- was a very intelligent, loquacious man. He 
soon attracted our notice, and was very free to tell us 
his history at different times. 

I lent him a short but very pointed tract. When I 
questioned him about it, he replied, " I thought when I 
got to the penitentiary I should not be troubled with 
appeals to the conscience, on the subject of religion : 
but I find they follow me here." Poor man ! For many 
years he was one of the most active and zealous mem- 
bers of the Church in Philadelphia — engaged in Sabbath 
schools, bible classes, prayer meetings, in destitute por- 
tions of the city — missionary and Bible societies, &c, 
but he frankly confessed, "It was all to secure the favor 
and influence of certain rich merchants in the Church, 
who, I hoped, would take notice of me and set me up 
in business I /" For a long time he professed to desire 
to study for the ministry, and plead with different minis- 
ters to aid him, but says, " my whole motive was selfish- 
ness — a popular education /" He was one who assisted 
in burning the Pennsylvania Hall — came to St. Louis — 
was clerk in a store — stole some thousands of dollars 
from his employer, and was sent here, for four years. 
Are not the motives of many in the Church similar ? 
" Search me, O God, aud know my heart ; try me, and 
know my thoughts." 

In conversation with gamblers and highway robbers, 
who have had many thousands of dollars at a time, they 
have confessed, " It did me no good. All that I ever 
got in that way never did me any good. The thought 



204 gamblers' happiness 

of how it was obtained would spoil all my enjoyment." 
This was the confession of Elijah P. Lovejoy's murder- 
er, of whom I shall speak hereafter. Said T. J.," All 
that I ever procured in that way never benefited me any. 
I never derived any profit from it. Somehow it would 
slip away as easily as it came." And he has handled 
much. W. W. confessed, " In all my scenes of mirth, 
riot, and wickedness, I never knew what real happiness 
was; never felt anything worthy the name of happi- 
ness." Mark ! these are not the words of converted 
men, but of those who continued to cleave to their folly. 
Many have confessed similar things. " There is no 
peace to the wicked." 

W. P. was born and brought up in New York. Said 
he, " Many a time has my mother got up at twelve and 
one o'clock at night and gone to the city (a half mile), 
to hunt for me, found me at the card table, and led me 
home." When grown up and in business the habit 
followed him. By gambling he lost his property. He 
" could not dig, and to beg he was ashamed." The next 
step was to rob some one, for money he must have. 
Then conscience would trouble him ; and to drown its 
whispers, free use was made of the bowl. Whenever 
he reflected, and called to mind his old mother he was 
miserable, and would rush to the tavern or grog-shop to 
drown his feelings. Thus from step to step, he advanced, 
till he landed here, for ten years, charged with highway 
robbery ! Said he, " I deserve every moment of my time 
in this place." He promised an amendment, and swore 
entire abstinence from liquor, forever. 

In giving this sketch of his case, I draw the picture 
of very many here. They have pious parents, brothers 
and sisters ; but liquor has led them to the card table, the 
ambling shop and " the way to hell ;" this company has 
ed them on to new scenes of wickedness ; and thus 
proceeding, they have hardened their hearts, and seared 
their consciences, till they have " sold themselves to 
work wickedness," with all their might. 



MUST HAVE SATISFACTION. 205 



SATISFACTION. 



A number here who confessed themselves guilty of 
what they were sent here for, told me," I will never give 
another man whom I rob, the opportunity to appear 
against me in court" — meaning they would kill him on 
the spot. 

And a great many talk about getting " satisfaction, '' 
when they get out — some by killing their prosecutors, 
or those who appeared against them in court; some, by 
flogging; and others by stealing from them ! They say, 
" I must have pay for all the time I spend here," by 
stealing and robbing whom and w T here they can. If 
one gets into difficulty there are generally enough to step 
forward and swear him innocent. 

A highway robber told me all about the circumstan- 
ces of his knocking a man dowm and robbing him ; and 
yet, in court he had three witnesses to sw T ear he was in 
bed at the time the deed was done ! That is the way 
they do it. 

Another, who ran away, said, " I had three men who 
swore I had been sick in bed five weeks in St. Louis, 
when I had been but three weeks from the penitentia- 
ry !" What is an oath ! 

the wonder! 

I confess I never before knew what an amount of 
wickedness there is in the world — that every town and 
city, river and railroad, steamboat and stage is infested 
by such connected gangs of thieves, and robbers, and 
murderers, who are disciplined and taught the art from 
childhood ; and who make it their only business to go 
from place to-place, dressed in the garb of gentlemen, to 
lay hands on everything they can, not caring for tears, 
groans, nor life even, if they may but succeed ! But 
very little do we yet know. Still there is an eye which 
sees the w T hole, and will one day bring it all to light. 

O ! what a sight will be presented before the universe ! 



206 IT IS THE LORD. 



REFLECTIONS ON THE FOREGOING PAGES. 

Keep in mind the character of the men, we, to this 
time, had been under — slaveholders, profane, blasphe- 
mous, sabbath-breakers, God-hating, and enemies to all 
good ; — connect with this the treatment we have receiv- 
ed, the privileges enjoyed, the opportunities of useful- 
ness granted, liberty to w T rite and receive freely on the 
subject of religion, to sing, read, and pray as heartily as 
we chose, and to converse with our fellow prisoners — 
and how manifest to every one is the hand of the Lord. 

Such things could not, humanly speaking, have been 
looked for, or hoped for. 

But " It is the Lord." " He hath done all things 
well." If this truth is evident from the foregoing, much 
more will it appear from what is to come. Reader, 
" Because I have said these things, do you believe" that 
God will take care of his own in every situation 1 Follow, 
and " thou shalt see and hear greater things than these." 



PART THIRD. 

CHAPTER I. 

TERM OF CAPTAIN RICHMOND AND JUDGE BROWN 

NEW WARDENS. 

By all the prisoners it was understood that at that ses- 
sion of the Legislature (February 1843), the penitentia- 
ry was to be sold, for ten years, to the highest bidder. 
In almost every bosom, there was an anxious solicitude 
as to ivho should be placed over us. A thousand inqui- 
ries were made, and reports were circulated, but " we 
gave ourselves to prayer," knowing that it was the Lord, 
who could raise up and cast down, and send us whom 
He chose. 

Thus, by casting our care upon God, we were saved 
from the manifold anxieties, and gloomy forebodings 
which agitated the bosoms of the ungodly. They often 
thought of their sufferings, and cruel treatment, and had 
many apprehensions concerning the future. But with 
the settled assurance that the " Disposer of all events," 
would place over us just such men as would, on the 
whole, most glorify his name, we were composed — and 
feeling that the character of the men might depend on 
our prayers, we earnestly " besought the God of 
heaven,'' if it could be possible to give us men who 
would fear his name, and seek the spiritual good of the 
wretched prisoners. We knew, that no one could obtain 
the station without his consent, that our " good" was 
secured by eternal promise^ and therefore we were satis- 
fied. 

On the 16th February 1843, the new Wardens took 
possession — giving security for the sum of fifty thousand 
dollars, for the use and profits of the prison for ten years. 



208 THE EXAMINATION. 

The morning we spent principally by the stove reading, 
while the majority were locked in their cells. In the 
afternoon a committee from the Legislature, came to ex- 
amine into the condition and circumstances of the pri- 
soners. We were all assembled in the carpenter's shop, 
where we passed before the committee, one by one. 
The principal questions, were such as follows. " How 
long have you been here V 9 " To stay V " Charge V 9 
"Guilty?" "Enough to eat?' " Comfortable cloth- 
ing?" "Work hard?" "Work when sick?" "Treat- 
ment when sick V 9 " Read V 9 " Write V 9 " What 
your occupation before coming here V 9 &c, &c. They 
wrote down the name, age, where born, wb ether he 
could read or write, occupation, &c, of each one. 
They listened to some pitiable tales indeed — for some 
of the prisoners had such an inveterate spite against G. 
and B., that they " brought out the whole budget" — 
stating what kind of food they had been obliged to eat 
— how they had suffered day and night with the cold — 
that they had not had a clean shirt for four, six, or eight 
weeks — being driven to work, with two large chains on, 
when they were so sick they could scarcely walk, &c. 

Sometimes they would ask, " Are those all the clothes 
you have 1" " Yes sir" — which wrung a scowl and long 
sigh of pity, even from those wicked men. They mani- 
fested their enmity to us, Dr. Nelson, and the Mission 
Institute.' 

RECOMMENDATION TO THE WARDENS. 

James was in the sick room, just above the guard-room, 
where he overheard the following, as the new officers 
were making many inquiries about the prisoners. 
" Well, what, kind of persons are the abolitionists I" 
Mr. B., an old guard, who was generally kind to us, re- 
plied, " they are first-rate fellows — they will do no 
harm. I let them go just where they please. They 
would not run away, should the gate be left wide open. 
Without an honorable discharge they won't leave." He 
came into my cell, a day or two after, and said he had 



RECOMMENDATION. 209 

given us a good name to the officers, and wished us to 
conduct ourselves exemplarily, and we would fare well. 

See here " the good hand of our God," in causing 
one who had long observed us, to speak a word in our 
favor, tc those who knew us not, and were probably 
filled with prejudice against us ! " Blessed are all they 
who put their trust in Him." Reader, try it. 

The next morning we were all assembled ; and in the 
midst of the crowd, Judge B. mounted on a bench, read 
to us some Rules, with various remarks. Said if we be- 
haved well, we should be treated well — but if any were 
lawless, means would be employed to make them obey ; 
when any were sick they should be well taken care of, 
&c. Reader, remember this promise. For a few days, 
very little was done, but to sit around the stoves. Soon 
they concocted their plans, and began to tear down the 
middle wall, which furnished work for some — but who 
should go ? For many had not clothes sufficient, to ven- 
ture forth into the cold — and some had neither clothes 
nor shoes. We had opportunity to read considerably. 

CHARACTER OF NEW OFFICERS. 

Judge Brown is a member of the Presbyterian church, 
Capt. Richmond, of the Baptist, and the overseer, of the 
Presbyterian. At first, they all manifested much kind- 
ness toward the prisoners. They seemed to take an in- 
terest in their eternal welfare, as will shortly appear — 
but this feeling gradually wore away, and its place was 
supplied by a spirit of indifference, and contempt of a 
convict's welfare, as the reader will notice in the sequel. 
But many very important points were gained, under our 
new officers. 

1 . All chains were taken off, and every man placed on 
a new probation — the past was all overlooked, and op- 
portunity given to each one to secure favor, by his good 
conduct. 

2. Swearing was not only prohibited among prisoners, 
but there was a corresponding example, on the part of 
the officers. 

3. All Sabbath-work was stopped, for about one year. 



210 POINTS GAINED. 

4. The shaving was changed from Sabbath to Satur 
day. 

5. A Chaplain was appointed by the State — as also 
Inspectors. 

6. We enjoyed free opportunity of talking with the 
prisoners — though it was forbidden, yet we were never 
reproved for so doing. 

7. We had a godly overseer for one year, to whom 
we could go with freedom and confidence. He would 
listen to a prisoner's tale of grief, and try to comfort and 
relieve. He was remarkably kind and gentle. 

W T hen the first Saturday came, with what anxiety did 
we watch the movement of things ! And when we saw 
the men being shaved, and found ourselves without a 
beard before the Sabbath, and saw them cutting wood 
enough to last till Monday — 0, how our hearts leaped 
for joy ! How did we bless and praise the Lord, that 
our eyes were permitted to see such a change ! Then 
we perceived it was not in vain to pray — for with joy 
we beheld an answer to our many and oft repeated sup- 
plications. The blessing, so long implored, was un- 
speakably sweet and precious. We had very many 
times, " in our hallowed cell," plead with God to send 
us a man, fearing him and loving souls — to bring an end 
to Sabbath shaving. And to see these blessings granted 
— to feel that they came from God in answer to prayer, 
was cheering to our souls, reviving to our faith, and en- 
couraging to our hearts. We felt almost as if we were 
in a new world. 

We were, by all the officers, treated with more kind- 
ness and respect than we could have expected, and al- 
lowed to cell together, as formerly. 

HEART-HARDENING INFLUENCE OF POWER. 

For some time our officers were kind, and made many 
promises of what they would do in future. For exam- 
ple, the wardens, overseer, and Capt. R.'s son, time and 
again, promised us a Sabbath School. Said J. R. (the 
son), u When we get our Sabbath School in operation, 
you will have an opportunity to do good to your fellow 



HARDENING INFLUENCE OF POWER. 211 

prisoners by teaching them." This was glad news, 
indeed. Capt. R. said, " we shall have a Sunday School, 
and shall set you to teaching the prisoners. We intend 
to give all who wish an opportunity to learn to read and 
write, and endeavor to send them forth into the world, 
honest and useful citizens. These and many similar 
promises greatly rejoiced and elated our hearts. For 
these things we had been praying again and again ; we 
spoke to them about it, but they " said and did not." No 
Sabbath School came — nor were any taught to read or 
write, though many ardently desired it. Our entreaties 
and arguments were all ineffectual. 

They solemnly promised that they would keep no 
guard who would use profane language before the priso- 
ners. After a few months guards were heard to swear 
unblushingly. I went to the officers time and again 
about it. " O, we can't help it. It can't always be 
avoided," was the reply — and a guard could swear as 
much as he pleased. I was telling J. R. how much I 
had been annoyed by profane guards, previously. He 
remarked, " I am not a Christian. I sometimes swear, 
myself, but I will not do it in the presence of any one 
whose feelings I know it will wound." This respect 
for a prisoner's feelings did not last long. He also stat- 
ed, " We mean to do all we can to make the prisoners 
happy and contented with their lot. It is bad enough 
at the best, and we wish to regard their feelings, and 
consult their comfort and happiness. 1 shall treat, every 
one kindly, and I am determined that no one shall hear 
an unkind word from me so long as I stay here." 

But his professions were not carried out, though he 
always treated us kindly. Use and authority soon har- 
dened his heart, so that like Hazael, he could perform 
deeds of cruelty and barbarity, the thought of which, a 
short time before, was revolting to his mind. Though 
he remained here only a little more than a year, he be- 
came a perfect tyrant to the prisoners generally. 

Capt. R. professed to feel for the prisoners, and did 
treat them kindly for a time, but his heart also soon be- 
came unfeeling, so that he could disregard and contemn 



212 prisoners' comfort disregarded. 

a prisoner's sufferings, to a degree that was shocking-. 
He came to the cell of one who was unwell one morn- 
ing, and had not yet got out of his bed, and said, u VV., 
why are you not at work? Get right up, and come out 
here quick, and go along to your work, or I'll flog you 
like a dog. Come, be quick." Another had made re- 
peated applications to stop, because he was sick. I 
saw him — I worked with him — I heard him complain — 
I saw his swollen legs, upon which he could scarcely 
stand, frequently having to lie down. He was driven 
on until he suddenly fell to the ground in a fit! 

I have seen Capt. R., again and again, walk up to 
a prisoner, and with his hickory cane repeatedly try his 
strength over the head and shoulders of the sufferer, 
who dared not resist, and that too, when there was no 
occasion for it. 

Judge B., who was so gentle and kind, at first, has 
hardened with an amazing rapidity, so that a prisoner's 
comfort and happiness, health and life, are regarded with 
shocking indifference, neglect, and even contempt. 

All this tenderness, and sympathy, and attention to 
the happiness of the prisoners, by degrees passed away, 
and a want of feeling for another's woes, was exhibited, 
that was truly awful. And about in proportion as the 
press of business increased, did this disregard of the 
pains and ills of the sufferers increase. So true is it, that 
people do not know themselves until they are brought 
to the test. Such is the deceptive nature, the hardening 
effect, and the too common fruits of power, when not 
under the influence and government of religious princi- 
ple, of holy love, of enlarged philanthropy. 

Poor, ragged, ignorant back-woodsmen, come here 
and hire out for guard, and they soon seem more lordly 
and of greater consequence than monarchs. It is laugh- 
able and disgusting to see them. 

PARTIALITY. 

Soon after the change of officers, one of the guard- 
rooms was set apart as a hospital, to which the sick were 
removed. James, being sick, was taken there. We had 



PRIVILEGES. 213 

free access to him, and to all in the hospital — to talk and 
pray with them. 

Also we were permitted to remain there, by the fire, 
Sabbath days, while the other prisoners were locked up 
in their cold cells. There we read, sang, and prayed 
with all who came — and enjoyed some precious seasons. 
Our kind and good overseer, would come in and talk 
freely with us — tell us his experience, sing, bring us re- 
ligious newspapers, — in short, he seemed not so much 
like an overseer, as a brother, who delighted in the image 
of Christ wherever found — in high or low, bond or free 
— though in a despised convict ! 

In the time of G. and B., we were not allowed to 
lend our books — but these men came to us and said, 
" You must lend your books to the prisoners, till we get 
some — and do them good in this way." We rejoiced to 
do so. 

The prisoners rinding that the officers would let them 
write letters, many made application — soon an order w r as 
given that no prisoner should have more than a half 
sheet at a time, but they always, with one or two excep- 
tions, gave us a whole one, and as often as we desired, 
for the first two years. A frequent objection to our let- 
ters was, " They are too long" Now, while we were 
under G. and B., those extremely wicked men, that ob- 
jection was never mentioned to me, though I always in- 
terlined, and filled my sheet — but so soon as covetous 
professors of religion take their place, they can't spend 
time to read such long letters ! It is very strange, yet 
such is the truth. However, they sent our letters, for 
which they have our thanks. 

I also was privileged to write letters for other prison- 
ers, who could not w r rite ; and for numbers who could 
write, because they thought I could do it better. In 
this way I preached the gospel to many a far off — to wives, 
mothers, children, friends — to the widow and fatherless 
— the bond and free — directing them to Jesus, for com- 
fort, amid their sorrows — to the widow's God,, and the 
" Father of the fatherless," for support and defence, 
while the husband, father or son, was shut up in prison. 



214 joy. 

And often, while reading to the eld gray headed father, 
what I had written to his children, would the tears abun- 
dantly flow — and the eyes of the son, would pour forth 
a flood, as he heard what I said in his name, to the old 
father, or widowed mother, from whom he had run away. 
And then to read the answers to some of these letters, in 
which were the rejoicings of the aged widow, united 
with those of brothers and sisters, over a " son that was 
lost, but now found," was truly cheering, and abundantly 
repaid me for all my trouble. For some seemed almost 
to overlook the crime, the suffering, and the disgrace — 
so great was their joy to hear that their son or brother 
was yet alive, that their many prayers were answ r ered, in 
their conversion to God, though by means so different 
from what they had marked out. Again, and again, 
have they sent their thanks to me, from distant States, 
free and slave, for the interest I had taken in the wel- 
fare of their unfortunate children or brothers. 

OUR WORK. 

Alanson continued as before, at his chair making, 
with the addition of spinning wheels, large and small — 
having frequent opportunity to converse with customers, 
about their souls, or concerning the news of the day. 
No one to hurry him, or find any fault with his work, he 
did much as he chose, taking care, however, not to give 
prisoners or officers, occasion to complain of him. He 
was faithful to his trust. At one time he said, IC Some- 
times I am tempted to be lazy, as no one looks after me, 
to see whether I do little or much ; but then I think, 
that the angels and God, are looking at me — our friends, 
and the anti-slavery world are watching eagerly to see if 
we will work cheerfully and faithfully for the poor slave, 
and at my work 1 go with new resolution, and vigor." 
So we all felt. 

James continued his carpentering, when he could 
work (being sick much of the time), for nearly a year. 
The cause of change I shall mention in its place. I 
worked at turning awhile — then carpentering sometime 
— then spinning bale-rope about four months — then 



CHANG i'.S PREACHING. 215 

weaving bagging about one year and a half — lastly in the 
wagon shop, sixteen months, including about four 
months of sickness. At times, I worked a few days at 
other things, but such was my general employment- 
pursued with much pleasure, while I felt that all was ioi 
the cause of humanity. 

Our food continued much as before — generally, corn 
bread and bacon — no wand then, some potatoes or turnips, 
hommony, or beans. 

In the spring, a long table was prepared, in one of the 
halls, and all ate together at breakfast and dinner — hav- 
ing our corn bread, in our cells at night. With this 
arrangement, our overseer, introduced into the prison, 
for the first time since its commencement, the practice ot 
publicly seeking from God a blessing on our food. This 
was new to the prisoners, and made many of them very 
angry. Frequently the victuals would be very poor, 
then to hear a blessing asked over "such" food would 
make them curse Christians and their God. The over- 
seer often called on Alanson, James, myself, or W. G. 
And when he was absent, one of us was always spoken 
to. This state of things continued only during the time 
of this overseer.* 

For some months, the sick were treated with a good 
degree of attention. The officers would come to see 
them, and find out their wants — but this, as I have 
already intimated, soon passed away, and the sick have 
been left to suffer unaccountably. The young, inexpe- 
rienced, ignorant, unfeeling doctor, was the cause of more 
cruelty towards the sick, probably, than all the officers 
together — for he had the power to see that they were well 
taken care of — but he was bribed by the officers, and 
sought not the good of the prisoners, but the favor of his 
employers. But facts, hereafter shall speak for them- 
selves. 

PREACHING. 

The first two Sabbaths we had no preaching. As we 
were in the hospital, on the next Sabbath, reading and 
praying, the overseer came in, and said, " We have been 



• 

not 
I • . . ■ I ] 

chaplain He 

v.irm hei M< 

ally i 

;iii«l 1 • 

prisoners. We 1 

! 
13. W( 

. ■ I 

■ • 1 1 l 

I i 

m, 

19 . A I .1 

iher in the i I II 

bled — eight in nui 
adilit ir usual : 

• 
■ 

He 



t: prayer meeting. C17 

» but in earnest. 

rd him pray, said, 
14 I 

H • 

S - mix 

t *'I feel the 1 >re of 

< . 1 [e La 1 1 

l . I . . 

. . . I 
• 

i gh to 

i 

i 

1 in the 



CHAPTER If. 

..... ,a 

I ' K. 

: the 

, 

I 

. He 

■i 

mi, where 
; ed foi j 



218 STATED PRAYER MEETING. 

the prospect of again exhorting sinners to " flee from 
the wrath to come," and pointing them to the Lamb 
of God. The thoughts of our prayer meeting, during 
the week, would lighten our toils, and sweeten all our 
cares and pains. We saw clearly that God " had not 
despised the affliction of the afflicted," nor withheld any 
good. 

At our next meeting, about a dozen were present, and 
interest was manifest. The number continued to in- 
crease. The attention of the impenitent was arrested. 
The Lord heard prayer and blessed his own truth, so 
that while some came from novelty, others evidently 
had an arrow in their hearts. 

In our exhortations, singing, and prayers, we aimed 
at the immediate conversion of sinners — beseeching them 
to come to the Savior tearing away their excuses — and, 
from our own experience, testifying to the excellency of 
religion, and to its power to support and cheer, even in 
these trying circumstances. 

We soon had evidence that the Spirit was in our 
midst, seconding our feeble endeavors, and pressing sin- 
ners to forsake their evil ways. 

We had a few meetings when one with whom we bad 
frequently conversed, cried aloud for mercy. This not 
only encouraged us, but it affected the wicked, and a 
" shaking among the dry bones" was observable. Some 
mocked and ridiculed, while others became more serious, 
and anxious to attend the meeting. They tried to ha-- 
rass and vex the convert, but he bore it with patience, 
and continued to pray with us. 

Soon another was anxious to know what he must do 
to be saved. We talked with him privately, and he 
made up his mind fully and deliberately to serve the 
Lord. Though both were extremely ignorant, being 
scarcely able to read intelligibly, yet it was exceedingly 
interesting to hear them pray. Their broken and half 
choked words, — disconnected sentences and ideas were 
" music to our ears." One of them in prayer, used this 
language, " O Lord we are here in this dreadful house of 
"bondage, I thank Thee for the privilege of praying to- 



CONVERTS COMMUNION SEASON. 219 

gether in this little cell. I never expected such a great 
privilege," &c. 

April 9. Attended the communion, inviting W. G. 
to unite with us. At the first suggestion he was pleased 
with the idea ; but soon expressed doubts as to the pro- 
priety of the thing without a regular minister. We rea- 
soned the case with him — showed the general nature of 
the command, explained the design of the ordinance, and 
gave him what light we could. A few days after, he came 
and said, " I have been studying and praying over that 
thing, to know my duty, and I have come to the conclu- 
sion that it is right for me to unite with you." He came, 
and for the first time, obeyed the dying command of our 
Lord. He was much blessed, and greatly strengthened 
by the occasion. It was sweet to feed this lovely lamb. 
0, how eagerly he would drink in the truth ! 

April 14. W. F. P. came to my cell, with whom I 
conversed and prayed. He says, " I feel that I am for- 
given of the past, and am now determined to live for 
God the rest of my time." Bless the Lord ! 

A DREAM INTERPRETED. 

With H. B. I had frequently conversed, when at 
work — he always acknowledged the necessity of a 
change — knew his duty, but said, " I am so wicked, it 
seems like I could not bring my mind to the subject. 
Sometimes I feel as if I could forgive my enemies, then 
again I am full of revenge." One morning he told me 
his dream, which I interpreted, according to the event, 
though it did not come to pass, for perhaps six months. 
The dream — " I saw a very beautiful bird of exquisitely 
fine colors, beyond anything I ever saw, or can describe. 
It was called the King Bird of Paradise. I pursued it 
through thickets and thorns, over stones and logs — amid 
many difficulties, falls, and bruises, but finally I caught 
it, and it was the most delightful creature I ever saw in 
all my life." 

The interpretation. — " The King Bird of Paradise' 
is the Savior , the " chiefest among ten thousand, and al 
together lovely." The "thorns, logs, rocks, bruises 



220 THE DREAM INTERPRETATION. 

falls," &c, are the trials and sufferings through which 
you are now passing. And happy indeed would you lie 
amid them all, if by these afflictions you should behold, 
and embrace the blessed Savior. 

I [e afterwards ackncw ledged the interpretation abund- 
antly true — frequentlj blessed the Lord for all these af- 
flictions, which had been the means of leading him to 
Jesus, and in strong terms expressed his peace and bap- 
ess, as far beyond everything he ever experienced 
while at liberty. 

tie came to our prayer meetings, became interested 
for his soul's Balvation, and would freely weep, while I 
presented Jesus before him, with entreaties to repent 
and accept of his salvation. I conversed with him pri- 
vately, urging him to immediate submission. 

His wife came to see him. After she left, I asked 
him, "Have you given your hearl to God and deter- 
mined to serve Him .'" " 5T< s, I have resolved to s< 
God, an I do right the rest of the time I have to li 
k - Did you tell your wife so '." " ¥es, and she smiled, 
and said, I think we shall see happj days togethei 
yet." He came out a burning Christian. 

Many things in his case would be interesting to the 
reader, but should I mention half the particulars during 
the revival, they would swell this volume to an immode- 
rate size, knoutlim is all I can present. But I will 
tion one thing about H. B. Whenhem erted, 

he was a perfect slave to tobacco — it had been all bis 
comfort. Before he came to prison, he was a " great 
drinker" too. But mark, when he submitted to God, 
and turned enemy to his sins, he M swept the board" — 
swore eternal abstinence from liquor, and east away his 
tobacco pouch, to touch it no more. The habit was 
strong, but he cried to God, to subdue the desire and in 
less than a week, he was ifrtt mnii, though in prison. 
() that his example might shame an) of my readers who 
may use this " abominable thinj ." 

The interest increased, and we multiplied our meetings 
— not that we trusted in them, but so great was the 
wickedness here — anxious sinners confined with the 



RELIGIOUS INTEREST INCREASING. 221 

vile who did all they could to turn them away, and there 
g no place of retirement, almost the only hope seem- 
alone, or in a meeting and press 
o submission on the spot. 

Ic increasing in the hospital, and some of them 
v, we met in our < ell, which accommodates 
\ irty persons. It was soon crowded — we preach- 
' ted weeping sinners to Jesus. The 

1 the truth, and to all it was evident u Truly 

g in this place." We felt it and rejoiced. 
baps 1 cannot better give the reader an idea of 
than by quoting from mv journal, where I 
circumstances, and the spontaneous overflow- 
ing of my soul, as they occui 

1 had informed the Chaplain of the state of feeling, 
ami advised him to rail tl I ward. The next 

gj • is described in my journal as follows. 

./ H 30. •• Uleluia!" S Ivation has come with 

1' . meeting in the morning ; after which, 

when we were locked up, I preached in my cell to six 

brethren, fellow prisoners, from Acts \\. 16. New-born 

souls ' 1' •'■ meeting again after dinner; 

The Chaplain brought with him another 

brother, who preached from 1I>?>. iii. 13, a very search- 

. uid cutting appeals concerning the " deceit- 

,/' The anxious were called for; eight 

rus h ped on their knees and begged for 

and groaning aloud. The Chaplain 

prayed and i thersto follow ;— James and my- 

. | an awfully solemn scene. ^ The 

I around to gaze. The ol- 

:it. 

og I led them to my cell, and O ! what a 

re the murderer, the highway robber, 

fane, the unclean, the thief and gambler, prostrat- 

crying for and yielding themselves to 

( ; ' . j glory ! The tiger is changed into a 

lamb, the vulture 1 ; ' cried, " 1 am I 

am lost, l i wicked." "S tto God," I cried. 



222 THRILL! !. 

" I will," said he. Another — w * i will go with you. I 
yield to God for ever, and will serve Him." Amen. 
Another — " I submit to God. I yield to Him body and 
spirit, to take me and do as He sees best." Hosanna! 
Another—" I will serve God." " When >" " Now. I 
will obey Him. ,J 0, reader, 1 cannot present this scene 
before you in words. Had you been here, you would 
have heard them bewailing before an offended God, their 
mountain-towering sins — een them trembling with tear 
of being rejected and cast off, almost in despair — t 
calling tor "mercy, mercy, mercy,"— other-, "there is 
no hope for me, 1 bai e t sinner j no 

hope," \i . We tilt that it was a critical time with 

them, and pointed them to the Lamb of God," beseech- 
ing them to look, believe, submit, and yield their hearts 

to I lim. It was solemn as death. 

We almost foi i were in prison, where the 

rules strictly forbade our speaking to a fellow prisoner. 

We could not hold our p< v i .k we must and 

speak we did, " no man forbiddinf ." 

We !i>.\\ -..w ,i great work before us in watching over 
and instructing the lambs, searching out the anxious, 
and warning the carel< •-. Bui ; '• wed be God for our 
good overseer. His head was also in the work. He 
conversed with prisoners about their souls, and allowed 
us to ^\>* the same with freedom. 

May 2. Conversed with C. S. in my cell — a i 

interest!;: Said h< . u They point at me, and 

laugh and make fun of me, hut I am determined not to 
care forit." He is rery decided. Prayed with 
the first time he ever prayed in English. Wo is a i; 
sian — talks well — is very forgiving toward enemi< 
and thanks God for sending him here. 
• >. Talked with J. M.. hut lie did not Bubmit. 

•1. Talked and prayed with him; lie also p 

and signed Ids nai bon, 

which I drew up. He seemed to be in great distress 
would give or suffer anything, if he could only feel that 
1 9 sins were forgiven. When we arose from prayer, he 
looked round the cell and said, " Your cell is a pal 



GLORIOUS DAYS. 223 

and you are happy in it, but I am miserable." I rea 
1 and plead, but tremble for him. 

D.'s cell, with three converts and an 
talked and prayed — a precious season — de- 
lightful to hearth and praise the Lord. The 
sinner would not bow. Glory to God ! for sending me 
to a penitentiary to preach the gospel. Last night with 
ick. 
N evening, prayer-meeting here with the 
rthey had finished their work. They are 
anxious — could not wait for the 
x ith. 0! ho : hand of our God is upon 

7. G th! Murderers and thieves sub- 

mitting to <> — oicing and praising their 

re trembling be- 
neath the eir guilt Three prayer meetings 
ing. In one, the Chaplain was 
and heard them tell what God had <\i>ne for 
them. In sermon he I the prayer meeting, and 
i — there is full liberty for all who wish 
I have all talk and pray who profess to be 

inn 

with the sick — Alanson staying with S. to 

talk with him — .1 S. and I'.. S. with me. Talked and 
i being truly con- 

\v. B« '.v itb us — formal . < latholic — 

! Id and profane — lived eighteen pears 

into a m it truth reached 

Ins heart, and lie trembled in view of his sins -now 

IS penitent, bum I v. 

13. SatUl . Meeting full of interest and 

warm he 

I 1. The i I een! The pow- 

« . ! wonderful! j I n prayer meeting, 

: ea to overflow- 

ing; converts mounting bigher and growing stronger j 
while the long-hardened tremble like Belshazzar. 

I, from Luke ix. 



224 a murderer's confession. 

23. In the afternoon, a powerful sermon — six new ones 
came forward — I talked and prayed with them, " no man 
forbidding." Glory to God ! 

19. A. D. with us to stay all night — appears 
well. 

20. A good prayer meeting this evening. 

21. The work is rolling — glory to God! Two new 
cases in the prayer meeting. Preached to a crowded cell, 
from Luke xv. 26-33. O ! what scenes ! Hosanna ! E. 
R. is overflowing. He talks and prays like a preacher. 
His whole soul is in the work. At one time he said, 
" I find that the more of the spirit of religion I possess, 
the more of an abolitionist I am !" This is good. 

In the afternoon, divided our prayer meeting, and fill- 
ed two cells — James and Alanson conducting one, and 
I the other. Glorious ! glorious ! 

e. p. lovejoy's murderer. 

23. Last night, J. M. cut his throat — bled three 
quarts — still alive. This is all from unbelief, which 
drove him to despair* Submission to God would have 
saved him all this. See May 3d and 4th. 

Just here I will say what I have to say about this per- 
son. He came here on the night of the fire. I worked 
wi f h him some time. He told me all about the Alton 
" scrape" — acknowledged he was one of the leaders of 
the mob, and was the man who fired the building. He 
and a young doctor (he would not give the name), swore 
to each other as follows, that he (J. M.) w T ould ascend 
the ladder, and fire the building, if the doctor would 
shoot dead the first man who should come out of the 
door, to shoot him. E. P. Lovejoy was the first, and 
was shot dead, by the young doctor. J. M. was in- 
dicted and tried for arson. Mr. U. F. Linder, the ring- 
leader of the mob, plead his cause, and he was cleared, 
but banished from the place. Subsequently he was en- 
gaged in house robbing, and an attempt to murder a wo- 
man — and came here for seventeen years. He is said to 
be guilty of various other murders. 

He professed to be anxious about his soul, for a time 



LOVEJOY's MURDERER A BREAK. 225 

— became sullen and downcast — cut his throat, which 
was sewed up — two days after, he picked up a hand axe, 
and struck a prisoner on the head, hurting him severely. 
When asked why he did it — he repled, " I felt it my 
duty to kill somebody !" He was locked in his cell, 
where he tore his blanket into strips, and tried 
three times to hang himself from the iron bars of the 
window, but the string broke every time. He was 
chained to the floor — tore open his throat wound — wish- 
ed the officers to give him a rope, and let him hang 
himself — then begged that he might drown himself, &c. 
A desperate character. He was one of Murrill's right 
hand men — and told me of many of his deeds of rob- 
bery, kidnapping, stabbing, knocking down, &c. 

While working with him one day, he remarked, in 
the presence of the guard and myself — ' c There is a man 
in Ohio Penitentiary for fifteen years, for a crime which 
I committed myself. He is perfectly innocent, and knew 
nothing about it !" 

Can nothing be done for that man's release ? There 
are also men in Missouri prison, for what others did ! 
One slaveholder served two years there for what his 
slave did ! 

28. Four new cases. Interesting prayer meeting, a 
bundle of tracts given to us, for which we are thankful. 

June. 4. James quite sick — chaplain came to see 
him. 

7. Last night staid with James, in the hospital — and 
drew up a temperance pledge — also an anti-tobacco 
pledge. 

10. This morning seven prisoners made a break, by 
knocking down the gate keeper, and opening the gate. 
Two were soon taken — one was shot — four balls passing 
through the fleshy part of the arm, into his side. He 
came near dying several times, while the wound was 
being dressed. " The way of transgressors is hard" 
most certainly. Two others were drowned, one of them 
leaving a large family. 

11. Very interesting prayer meeting. Preached to 
about twenty-five, from Ex. xxxii. 26. Said J. D., 

10* 



226 IMMERSION EXTRACT OF A LETTER. 

" A lazy man cannot seek religion, nor be a Christian." 
It is good to feed the lambs. 

18. Preached to parents with respect to trusting their 
wives and children with God — blessed time. In the 
prayer meeting, J. D. full of the Spirit— the cell could 
scarcely contain him — he jumped as if on springs — 
clapped his hands, and shouted glory ! The old man 
sixty-two years old pleading for mercy. Lord save him. 

19. W. S. with us to receive instruction on baptism. 
He is an old gray headed man, and appears of an excel- 
lent spirit. 

22. H. B. with us, for instruction on baptism. He is 
a lovely spirit. 

25. An. old Baptist man preached. After sermon, 
those who wished to be immersed, came forward, and 
w T ere examined. Six were immersed. 

EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A FRIEND. 

Through the goodness of God, we can yet exclaim, 
with one of old, " Ebenezer ;" and call upon you all to 
" magnify the Lord with us." I cannot describe to you 
on paper, His wonderful works in our midst. The 
number that now unite with us in prayer, and in telling 
" what God has done for them, and how he has had com- 
passion on them," is upwards of twenty. Give God the 
praise. The work is His. In the converts, the turning 
point with many was, forgiveness and love of enemies — 
but God gave them no peace till they gave up all animo- 
sity. Said one, " For three long years, I have lived with 
bitter enmity in my heart against two men, on whom I 
was determined to have revenge, when I left this place ; 
but God told me I must give it all up, or He would not 
hear one word to me, and now I feel to love them, and 
find more happiness than in all my life before. You 
must do as I did — forgive your enemies." I tell you 
these scenes are glorious. The wicked, who surround, 
mock, deride, and lie ; but in the face of all this, to see 
men come out boldly on God's side makes our souls re- 
joice. I never saw men appear better than some of 



READY TO DEPART AND BE WITH CHRIST. 227 

these converts do. They just " cast off the works of 
darkness/' and yield up to God. 

Alanson says, " Tell my family to trust in God, and be 
patient ; and all things will work together for the best." 
He is as happy as a king. 

James has been sick, and nigh unto death. We did 
not much expect he would stay with us long — but 
through the mercy of God he has nearly recovered ; he 
now wants bodily strength. He was in the hospital two 
weeks and a half— felt willing and ready to " depart and 
be with Christ, which is far better" — still thinks it 
doubtful whether he meets you all again, till we meet 
where sighing and sorrow are not known." 

THE RECONCILIATION. 

July 2. We had an interesting scene in the prayer 
meeting. H. B. and W. S. were sent here on the false 
testimony of G. S. They were perfectly innocent as to the 
thing charged against them. G. S. was hired to swear 
falsely, and they were sent here. Soon after G. S. stole, 
and came himself. The two former had cherished bittei 
feelings of revenge against the latter, and he knew it. But 
when they were converted, they went to him and told him 
they freely forgave him. He could hardly believe it. H. 
B. went to his cell, talked kindly, and assured him of his 
hearty forgiveness. G. S. melted into tears, confessed 
his guilt, and said, " I w r ould be willing to do or suffer 
anything, if you could only be restored to your family." 
To-day they were all present in the prayer meeting. G. 
S. professed repentance, and a determination to serve 
God ! I addressed the three. My heart was moved ; 
and before all I asked, " H. B., do you freely and fully 
forgive G. S. V He frankly replied in the affirmative, 
arose, and gave him his hand in token of reconciliation. 
I turned to W. S., and asked the same question. He 
expressed his cheerful forgiveness, and gave his hand in 
token of friendship and love. 

It was affecting. A little before they were at vari- 
ance, and meditating each other's destruction, refusing 
to be reconciled ; now, melted down, their enmity slain, 



228 SCENES OF INTEREST. 

and love filling their souls, they embraced each other, as 
brethren going to heaven together. 

9. A good prayer meeting. Preached from 2 Cor. 
v. 17. In the afternoon, after sermon, the chaplain bap- 
tized four persons by pouring, which he thinks is the 
only proper mode. 

23. Prayer meeting in the carpenter's shop. Man\ 
prisoners and the overseer attended. C. N. came to om 
cell — gave evidence of conversion — prayed and talked 
well. Two weeks ago, we were spinning together, and 
I reproved him forswearing. Said he, " From that time 
I began to pray, and ask for the forgiveness of my sins, 
and ceased not till I found relief/' Ah, " a word in 
season, how good is it?" 

28. Glorious Sabbath ! Salvation and rejoicing ! In- 
teresting prayer meeting — excellent class meeting. Some 
new cases. J. P. said, " The thing which brought me 
here was forsaking Christ. I have a pious wife and 
children. It has been three years since I forsook God. 
First, I neglected secret prayer ; second, family devo- 
tion ; third, the house of God ; now 7 I am fully deter- 
mined to be faithful." He prayed and wept freely. 
Just came last week. 

W. W. very much broken down — wept like a child. 
He said, w; I believe my coming here will be the means 
of saving my soul." 

0, what God can do ! " Ts anything too hard for the 
Lord V 9 No preaching ; no time to read ; all day occupied 
in helping others ; but praise to God for such a privilege. 

Said one, u My first year here was one of misery and 
death. The second has been one of life and peace." 

James in another cell laboring. He had a melting 
time. The Lord was present in pow T er. 

Aug. 7. Judge B. granted us the privilege of a lamp 
at night, so that we could improve our evenings by 
reading. O, what a great blessing ! After being de- 
prived of it more than two years, how sweet to enjoy 
again the bliss of reading God's word, after the toils of 
the day! 0, how good is our Father! May we value 
and improve the privilege. 



A PRISONER PREACHING TO PRISONERS. 229 

13. No preaching. After prayer meeting, went into 
another cell with four others. Had a precious time. 
They drank in the truth with eagerness. 

14. Last night T. sent for me to sit up with him. He 
is quite sick — sees himself a great sinner. 

20. After dinner, Judge B. came and called me out of 
my cell, and said that there had been a request that I 
might preach in the absence of the chaplain, who was 
sick. " I have no objections, and you can address them, 
or hold a prayer meeting. Just take your own course." 

The prisoners were assembled, and with great delight 
1 preached to them from Ephesians v. 14. Excellent 
attention. Judge B. and wife, overseer and others, pre- 
sent. Truly this is the hand of the Lord. 

These quotations from my journal show pretty clearly 
the nature of the work, our circumstances, and the way 
we were occupied for about one year or more after the 
change of officers. Some general remarks about the re- 
vival, and I must leave it. 

My usual course was to sing while they were collect- 
ing, which answered the purpose of a bell — for there 
was so much heart and life in the singing, that we could 
be heard all over prison. After two or three prayers, I 
read a portion of Scripture with remarks suitableto the 
occasion — warning sinners, and instructing converts in 
the various duties devolving upon them. And it was 
very gratifying to see with what eagerness they sought 
to know the will of God, receiving the truth with a re- 
lish that convinced us our " labor was not in vain in the 
Lord." 

After I had talked, opportunity was given for any one 
to speak or pray, and it was expected that all would take 
a part. They were remarkably ready on all occasions, 
to go forward in any Christian duty, and many of them 
were bright examples of piety. Frequently they would 
be seen, coming to the prayer meeting leading the impen- 
itent, with whom they had been talking, and whose 
conversion they particularly desired — a cell mate, or 
some fellow laborer. The obstacles in their way were 



230 GENERAL REMARKS. 

many. The hardened ridiculed and mocked, but they 
bore it patiently, and the work rolled on. They all 
looked up to us, as children to a father. To us they 
came to make known their joys and sorrows, their temp- 
tations and their victories, their falls and uprisings, for 
instruction and counsel, for encouragement and help. 

The responsibility of watching over, and feeding, of 
seeking out, and reclaiming this interesting flock, all 
rested on us. The chaplain rarely came to talk with 
any of them, except on the Sabbath. When he called 
for the anxious, we were privileged to talk and pray with 
them. During the week, we had to look after the lambs, 
who dwelt among wolves, and carry forward our labors 
also. If we wished to stay all night with any one, or 
have any one come and stay with us for conversation, it 
was only to ask and we received. 

They loved the prayer meetings — and would remain 
from breakfast to dinner, without weariness. After din- 
ner, again they assembled to praise and pray, reluctant 
to leave the place where God had so richly blessed their 
souls. 

The work was so great, and important, that we ceased 
for a time to desire, or pray for liberty. We felt that 
this was the place for us. And we rejoiced to thrust in 
our sickles, and reap a rich harvest, " gathering fruit 
unto eternal life." 

I. 

I love in such a place to dwell, 

These lambs to me, are dear, 

Glory to Jesus, for my cell ; 

Hosannah, that I'm here. 

II. 

! what is liberty to me, 

Or friends, however dear — 

Since scenes like these, I here can see, 

And things like these can hear ? 

III. 

Let those who wish, seek worldly fame, 
And warriors wonders tell ; 
But give to me, reproach and shame, 
With Jesus and my cell. . 



LAMBS IN THE MIDST OF WOLVES. 231 

We saw here a flock of lambs, which, if we should go 
aw r ay, would have no shepherd. They dwelt in the 
midst of ravening wolves, and who should look after 
them 1 Our wardens soon became indifferent, and cared 
not for their souls. Our good overseer was occupied 
w T ith a multiplicity of other cares ; and after a while was 
turned away — his place occupied by an enemy of all 
good — new wardens came in> who " feared not God, nor 
regarded man " — our chaplain had other business, that 
he thought more important, and who should look after 
these precious souls 1 Who would care for a poor, de- 
spised convict ? We felt our responsibility — we saw 
their need of our help, and frequently heard them say, 
" I don't know how w T e should get along, if you should 
go away ;" and, blessed be God, we rejoiced to stay and 
do them good. To us they would listen — they felt a 
confidence that as we were " tempted in all points" like 
as they, we could enter into all their feelings, and sym- 
pathise with them in all their temptations and trials — 
that we would listen with patience to all their difficul- 
tied and sorrows, and gladly " comfort them by the com- 
fort wherewith we ourselves were comforted of God," in 
" all our tribulation." 

About forty professed to be converted. How many 
were truly, in heart renovated, we cannot say. The 
parable of tbe " sower, and the seed," is just as true 
here as in places where liberty is enjoyed. Some " ran 
well " for a time, and turned back— a number were 
" stony ground hearers," who could not endure the 
scorching rays of ridicule and persecution — of "thorny 
ground hearers" there were but a few— of those who 
" received the seed into good and honest hearts" there 
were a goodly number. " How do you know?" How 
do I know? How does the husbandman know that his 
seed found a place in fertile soil % that his grain did not 
all fall upon the rock— or that it was not all consumed 
by the fowls, nor all choked by the thorns'? How? 
Why, he sees it spring up and grow — he sees it blossom 

he sees it ripen — he fills his garner — he eats thereof, 

and is strengthened. How do I know ? " By their fruitt 



232 THE MEMORABLE COMMUNION SEASON. 

ye shall know them." They gave every evidence that 
can be desired. They brought forth fruit — they still 
bring forth fruit ; and we trust they will bring forth more 
abundantly, when again restored to liberty. When we 
see them so perfectly transformed in their characters, 
minds, thoughts, words, actions, how can we doubt ? 
When we see them hating the things they loved, and 
loving the things they hated — when we view the "old 
things passed away, and all things become new " — when 
the image of Satan is changed into the image of God ; 
and the spirit of heaven takes the place of the spirit of 
hell, how can we but believe that they have " Christ in 
them the hope of glory?" Their gentleness, docility, 
and exemplary walk would shame multitudes of profes- 
sors, who enjoy far superior advantages. And could 
they have been present in our convict meetings, and wit- 
nessed the readiness and eagerness of these poor prison- 
ers to give vent to the overflowing of their full and 
warm hearts, in testifying to the love of God, the pre- 
ciousness of the Savior, and the blessedness of His ser- 
vice, they surely would have blushed in view r of their 
own backwardness, and indifference. And to have wit- 
nessed those scenes, would have made the hearl of any 
Christian rejoice and praise the Lord. But I must not 
fail to give the reader a glance z± one scene, in our 
" hallowed cell," which we shall ever remember with 

THE PRISONER'S COMMUNION. 

We plead again and again, with the Chaplain, to ad- 
minister to us, and to the converts, the Sacrament* — but 
in vain. We then concluded to invite a number of 
the brethren to unite with us. During the week we 
tried to show them the importance and nature of the or- 
dinance. They obtained permission to remain in our 
cell after the prayer meeting — at which time we endea- 
vored to " remember our Savior" in His own appointed 
ordinance. Five of the brethren were with us — making 

* See note on page 147, 148. 



THE MEMORABLE COMMUNION SEASON. 233 

eight in all. Upon our little table was a cup of water, 
and a neat piece of corn bread, around which we were 
gathered. 

In a few words I endeavored to give them proper 
views of the ordinance, and with what feelings it should 
be observed. I tried to point out the appropriateness of 
the emblems, showing that as bread is the staff of natu- 
ral life, so is Jesus the " bread of heaven" — " the living 
bread," upon which, by faith, our souls feed, and are 
strengthened. 

As water cleanses our bodies from filth, so the blood 
of Christ cleanses the soul from sin — as without water, we 
should soon die, so without the application of the blood 
of atonement we should perish for ever — as receiving a 
draught of water quenches our thirst, so a draught by- 
faith, from " the fountain opened to the house of David, 
and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem," quenches all our 
desire for sin, and the vanities of the world, &c. I 
spoke of the love of our Savior — that we should remem- 
ber Him, with penitence for sin, with gratitude, and a 
full consecration of all our powers to His service — that 
we should remember His life, His example, His pro- 
mises, His sufferings, death, ascension, and His inter- 
cession in heaven for us. Portions of the scripture were 
read — each one prayed, and all united in praise. And 
while we partook of the simple emblems, the Master of 
the feast was present, to bless in a remarkable manner. 
Every soul was full, and all eyes " a fountain of tears," 
so that our little cell was truly u Bochim"* Such a 
scene I never witnessed. It was a sweet, heart- 
rnclting, blessed season. With four of them, it was their 
first approach to the Savior's table — and often have they 
spoken of that time. We felt ourselves repaid a hun- 
dred fold, for twelve years' imprisonment. ! " hal- 
lowed cell," how dear thou art' With what rapturous 
delight shall we look back from the heights of Zion, 
to this sacred place ! And when we sit down, with 
these little ones, " at the marriage supper of the Lamb," 

Judges ii. 4, 5, 



234 JOYFUL ACQUIESCENCE IN THE DIVINE WILL. 

how shall we then praise His holy name, for a Peniten- 
tiary ! To " Him who is our life," shall be all the 
glory. 

We had many other precious seasons, but I cannot 
particularize. Thus, reader, I have given you a sketch 
of our prison revival — the details would interest any 
person, but my limits will not permit. In its order, I 
shall tell you a little about the breaking up of our class 
and prayer meetings by our wicked officers. 



CHAPTER III. 

LETTERS— SICK-BED REPENTANCE, &c. 
extract of a letter. 

Beloved parents : 

Again let me assure you that " all is well." 
" The Lord reigns." " He doeth his will in the armies 
of heaven, and among the inhabitants of this lower 
world, and none can stay his hand, or say unto Him, 
what doest thou V Nor should we wish for a moment 
to " stay His hand," or alter His course in anything — 
for all His ways are in infinite wisdom and fove, and 
always for the present and eternal good of his children. 

My prison proves more than a palace — " it is good to 
be here." Worlds on worlds could not purchase from 
me what I have here obtained. It is more precious than 
rubies, and infinitely above silver, or the most fine gold. 
I do and will rejoice. I kiss the rod and bless the hand 
that applies it. O, rejoice with me ! Let no one weep 
on my account. There is no cause for weeping. It is 
joy — joy unspeakable and full of glory, that fills my 
soul. Peace, like a river from heaven's eternal ocean of 
love, rolls in upon me. I have cause to rejoice. We 
have long prayed ; the Lord has answered our prayers, 



LABOR WITH THE SICK. 235 

and gone far beyond our feeble faith and hope. The 
Lord has opened a great and effectual door of usefulness 
before us, and we expect to see a great work here. My 
privileges are too great for words to express. 

I rejoice to labor among these dying sinners, and ex- 
hibit to them the gospel of Jesus. And if only one soul 
is made for ever happy in heaven, through our instrumen- 
tality, shall we not be abundantly paid for all we have 
suffered, or may yet be called upon to endure? 0, re- 
joice that I am placed here. Do not say that I could 
have done more somewhere else. God is wise. This 
is just where he has put me, and therefore I know it is 
where I can do the most good. 0, it is inexpressibly 
sweet and glorious to lie quiet in his hands, and believe 
his promises ! Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. 
I know it. George. 

THE SICK MAN'S RESOLUTION. 

McM. was very sick in the hospital. I was with him 
two nights. We talked with him about his soul, and 
urged him to repentance. The overseer did the same, 
and warned him of his danger. He was so full of pains, 
and in such distress, that he said, " I can not attend to 
the subject now as I should, I have so much else to think 
about. If I should repent now, I should be liable to be 
actuated by w T rong motives — fear of death and hell, 
rather than hatred to sin and love to God. I feel 
that a sick bed is a poor place to prepare to die, and if 
the Lord will spare my life and raise me up, I will then 
attend to the subject." 

He recovered, but did not repent. We reminded him 
of his promise, and plead with him to be a Christian. 
He said he would serve God, but meant to do it secretly, 
without any noise or show, without making a profession 
of religion. " I will live a sober, upright life, while 
here, will not join with the wicked, and when I get my 
liberty I will connect myself with some society." Thus 
the devil deluded him, and I fear obtained his purpose — 
the ruin of his soul. How many such ! 



236 CONVERSATION WITH A SICK MAN. 



THE SICK-BED REPENTANCE. 

L. H. was a young man — a mere boy in years, but old 
in sin. He was taken down with pleurisy, and sent for 
me before day-light, to come and see him. I found him 
very sick and shuddering at death. He said, "You are 
the first pious man, George, I ever sent for to see me, 
but I feel that I need the instruction and help of some 
one, for I can't live long." " You now feel the need of 
the consolations of religion." " Yes, I do, George. I 
feel that I need it, and if I ever get well, I will live 
a different life, and be a Christian." "But you may die 
now." " Then I'm lost.*' I exhorted him to repent, 
and look to Jesus for mercy, casting himself upon Him, 
and he should find pardon. That night I sat up with 
him. He soon asked me to read and pray. " Do you 
feel that you are a sinner?" " Yes, the greatest in the 
penitentiary, and need God's grace as much. I have 
been viewing my past life to-day, and my sins pressed 
on my head like seas." "Have you repented and con- 
fessed them to God V 9 " Yes, I have. I think I have 
truly from the heart, repented, and turned from all my 
evil ways." " Some promise God on a sick bed, they 
will serve Him." — " It makes no difference with me. I 
don't ask God that I may get well. Here am I, do as 
seemeth Thee good. I am willing to die, George, if it 
is God's will. I have felt a change of some kind, to-day, 
T know not what it is, but I feel that in my bosom, for 
which I would not take a world of gold and silver. 
I feel contented and happy." " Do you feel willing that 
the world should know all your crimes V 9 " Yes, I am 
willing that everybody should know them. I think I 
can make reparation in all cases but one." (Probably 
murder). " Do you wish to talk with and warn your 
evil companions V 9 " Yes, I have done it to-day, though 
they made sport of me — but I did not mind that." 
"Well, what do you wish me to pray for?" " That 
God will forgive my sins, and give me grace to serve 
Him, and that I may truly repent." While I prayed, 
he seemed to unite heartily;, and to be much affected, 



CONVERSATION WITH A SICK MAN. 237 

frequently adding with emphasis, " Amen, Lord have 
mercy on my soul." I said, " We need not fear to die, if 
Jesus is our friend." " I feel that He is my friend," he 
replied, " I have made my first prayer to-day." " Look 
to God to help you to stand fast, and cleave to Him." 
" I know I can do nothing without Him, and on Him I 
depend for strength." " How do you feel towards 
Christians 1" " I once hated them, but now I love 
them better than I do my own life. And I have often 
cursed you, George, when I have heard you pray on 
Sundays ; but I do ask you to forgive me, for God has. 
I was plunging into all manner of vice and sin, never 
thinking I had a Supreme Master, or that there was any 
hereafter — but I feel that God has afflicted me, to bring me 
to consider and see my sins. I was blind this morning, 
but now I see where I was, and through the blood of 
Jesus Christ I hope to be saved. It was the happiest 
day that ever happened to me, when I came here. I 
had a good mother, but she spoiled me by humoring 
me."* He also confessed his true name. 

On the Sabbath, Alanson was with him all day. He 
warned his evil associates of their danger, and exhorted 
them to repent and forsake their evil ways. One replied, 
" 1 can't.'* Said he, " You can, if you will. You must 
bring yourself to say, i Iivill.' > " 

James was with him one night. He was restless, but 
seemed much interested in James' prayer, and often 
cried aloud, " Amen, Amen." 

At evening, I called to see him. " How do you feel, 
L.I" "I'm gone! I'm gone! George." "Submit to 
God, and put your trust in Him." And while I held 
his hand, he prayed that God would have mercy on him, 
forgive his transgressions, grant him grace, as he needed, 
&c, " for the Redeemer's sake, Amen." Again, when 
he was w T orse, I said, " Commit yourself to God." "I 
have — I have. Let Him do what he sees best. His 
will, not mine, be done." 

Again, Alanson said to him, " Be patient, and in the 

• Mothers, will you learn a lesson from this prisoner's confession 1 



238 REFLECTIONS. 

spirit of a little child yield to the Lord." He replied 
with emphasis, " I do yield." Alanson repeated, Ci And 
let this feeble body fail," &c. He exclaimed, " 0, 
may I be of that happy company." 

The foregoing is the substance of our conversations 
with him ; and should no more be said, it might be in- 
ferred that his repentance was genuine. So we hoped, 
and watched with trembling every symptom for good or 
ill, till he recovered ; but we were disappointed. As he 
became better in body, he grew worse in spirit, and 
could soon curse and swear freely. 

I have been thus particular with his case for various 
reasons. 

1. To verify the truth of God's word, " In trouble 
men call upon God." " In their affliction they will seek 
me early." 

2. In health, men can despise religion, blaspheme 
God and curse Christians ; but when death stares them 
in the face, they desire the consolations of that very re- 
ligion — will call those same Christians to pray for 
them, and beg God for mercy. 

3. See how perfectly a man may be deluded by Satan, 
even on a dying bed — willing to die, full of expectation 
of happiness, yet unprepared. Had he died, instead of 
getting well, we should have had hope. Do not multi- 
tudes die in this way? ! a death bed repentance ! 

4. How manifest the folly and danger of putting off 
repentance to a sick bed. True, many on a sick bed do 
repent, but not because they hate sin or are sorry they 
have offended God, or because the love of God has melt- 
ed their hearts — they do repent, but it is from fear, a ser- 
vile, slavish dread of hell. And being conscious of a 
repentance they think God is reconciled, their sins for- 
given, and they prepared for heaven. 

5. How important that those who converse with per- 
sons on a sick bed should be faithful in probing them to 
the bottom — in showing them the true character of God, 
and what it is to repent and love Him. We tried to do 
so in this case, yet see the result. 

6. From both the preceding cases, learn the secret of 



BLESSEDNESS OK RELIGION. 239 

the ephemeral peculiarity, so common to a sick bed re- 
pentance. They are influenced only by fear, and when 
the cause of that fear is removed, their religion vanishes. 
For they love sin just as much as ever. They have no 
true love to God because He is holy and hates sin, but 
because they know he will punish sin — and when the 
prospect of life is again restored, this kind of fear de- 
parts — and having no decision, no principle, the heart 
remaining unbroken, they are led captive by Satan at 
his will. ! a death bed repentance ! Beware ! 

As a candle appears most brilliant in dark places, so 
true religion shines with clearest lustre in dark dispensa- 
tions, but with greatest brightness in the gloom of death. 
When all men forsake it, it stands by its possessor and 
is more precious than ever. When earthly prospects 
are all blasted, it opens a door of hope, an assurance of 
immortal riches and glory. When trials and sufferings 
combine to crush, it comforts and supports, so that " we 
glory in tribulation," " rejoice in our sufferings," " and 
reckon them not comparable with the glory that shall be 
revealed." But 0, in death, when riches cannot profit, 
honors cannot relieve, friends cannot help, and every- 
thing earthly fails — when nature is sinking, and our 
clay tenement crumbling — when earth fades away, and 
eternity opens upon our view — while the cold waves of 
death dash over us, who can tell the worth of religion 
then 1 It lights the dark valley, dries up the deep wa- 
ters, quenches the raging flame, so that the last moments 
are the most delightful of the whole life. 

As its possessor draws near his heavenly home, and 
more clearly beholds the blissful company, he leaps for 
joy at the prospect of meeting his Father and Elder 
Brother — of " sitting down with Abraham, Isaac, and Ja- 
cob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God," to be 
" for ever with the Lord." 

! blessed religion ! What would this prison be 
without its comforts ! What a prison would this world 
be, w r ere it not for its blessed influences ! How un- 
speakably foolish are they who reject its easy yoke ! 
How cruel they who would exterminate it from the 



240 REJOICING IN GOD. 

earth ! And how inexcusable are all who do not rejoice 
in its life and peace giving power ! 

We add our testimony — that no place, no troubles, no 
circumstances, no calumny, nothing can deprive its pos- 
sessor of the comfort and joy it affords, so long as he 
trusts in God. " Perfect peace' 7 is his portion.* 

AN EXTRACT OF A LETTER, 

Written in the time of the revival, will show our feelings. 

" Beloved, this is a delightful place to me. These 
walls are sacred, these cells are hallowed palaces, and 
the rattle of bars, bolts, and locks, sweet music in our 
ears. Believe me when I say, a more soul-cheering, 
blessed place than this same " hallowed cell," I never 
dwelt in. I had almost ceased to pray for any other 
field of labor — as to anxiety, I have none. Such scenes 
as I have here witnessed, I never saw, in all the pro- 
tracted meetings, or in all the anxious rooms, or prayer- 
meetings I ever attended. I am in a penitentiary, but it 
is here I have seen the power of God — the long-harden- 
ed, cut down by the two-edged sword, prostrate before 
the Lord, and begging for mercy, in accents almost 
startling — yea, here, I have seen those same persons sit- 
ting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in their right mind, 
" praising and glorifying God" for what He has done. 

0, how they sing ! how they pray ! how they do bless 
God for a penitentiary ! " My soul doth magnify the 
Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." When 
I see the tiger take the disposition of a lamb — the vul- 
ture become a dove — obscenity turn to purity — curses 
to prayer and praise — haired to love, and hell to hea- 
ven, I must acknowledge the hand of God, and rejoice. 

Some of the hardest, and those least expected, have 
bowed, while the self-righteous moralist stands aloof. 

Our days are so occupied with work, and our Sabbaths 
in laboring with sinners and feeding the lambs, that we 
get but little time for reading ; but we cheerfully forego 
this privilege, for the sake of doing others good. We 

* Written, while sitting up with a sick man one night. 



JAMES, SICK. 211 

adopt the language of one of old,* " I have learned to 
see a need of everything that God gives, and to need no- 
thing that God denies me. There is no dispensation, 
though cross and afflictive, but either in or after, I find I 
could not be without it, and nothing that I am without, 
whether taken from me, or not given to me, but sooner 
or later, God quiets me in Himself without it. I cast all 
my care on the Lord, and live securely on the wisdom 
and care of my heavenly Father. I find that when faith 
is steady, nothing can disquiet me — and when faith tot- 
ters, nothing can establish me." 

George. 

james, outside. 

About the middle of July, as James was recovering 
from a severe fit of sickness, Judge B. granted him the 
liberty of going outside for his health, to breathe the 
fresh air, eat at his house, hoe in the garden, &c. Thus, 
without any guard he went out when he wished, to bathe, 
gather Nature's spontaneous productions, assist Mrs. B. 
about the house, read, meditate and pray in the grove, 
" where none but God could hear," and drink in the pure 
air of fragrant Nature. 

He had free access to Judge B.'s library, from which 
we had many valuable books. This liberty was very 
reviving to James' system. 

About the last of August he was very sick again. He 
was taken in the night, so that we had to knock on our 
door, for the guard, who called up the hospital steward, 
and came with some medicine. We felt that he could 
not last long, but the Lord raised him up. In the fore- 
part of September, I was taken down for some days. 
Having no physician— no helper but Jesus, it was sweet 
to go to Him. 

SCARCITY OF FOOD. 

Sept. 24. Sabbath. Two men worked most of the 
forenoon to dig potatoes enough for a scanty dinner, 
and for supper we had nothing. Food for the body, and 

• John Elliot. 
U 



242 PRISONEUS' KNITTING. 

temporal comforts may fail, but glory to God ! for the 
fountain, ever flowing, and the loaded tables of rich pro- 
visions, for the soul, to which we may at all times freely 
come — no man having power to prevent, and no condi- 
tion or place being able to bar us from the rich repast. 

Oct. 3, 1843. Now T entering upon our third year. 
How short the time ! How varied the scenes, trials, and 
circumstances ! How many and trying the temptations ! 
How glorious the victories! How multiplied and im- 
minent the dangers, and how striking the deliverances ! 
W«hat favors and blessings unspeakable, unnumbered, 
and ever memorable! To God be glory, and praise 
for ever. 

THE BUFFALO ROBES. 

Oct. 14. This evening, Judge B. went round, and 
left a buffalo robe for each cell, which is a great comfort 
in our circumstances. How much have we suffered 
from the cold nights ! But now we shall be comfortable 
— for the first time, in a cold night, since we came here. 
May we be thankful. 

By our scarcity of bedding, we have learned to " re- 
member the poor." How many have neither shelter nor 
covering ! But we can assure them that Jesus will 
warm the soul with his love, while the body may suffer. 

KNITTING. 

After we obtained our lamp, the evening and the cold 
cell were welcomed with great delight, that we might 
refresh our minds, from the fountain of truth. 

After devotions, Alanson and James would knit, while 
I read to them aloud. In this way, and when they were 
unwell, Alanson knit for himself two pairs of socks, and 
James knit for himself one pair. For so covetous 
was Mrs. B., that she influenced her husband not to buy 
socks for all the men, but made many of them knit their 
own, before they could have any. In this way, many 
went with cold feet, a long time, till, in their slow way, 
by knitting Sundays, and all their spare time, they pro- 



VISIT FROM FRIENDS. 243 

vided themselves. And from this cause numbers suffer- 
ed most of the winter. I did not learn to knit. For 
the most part I wore my own stockings. 



CHAPTER IV. 

VISITS— FAVORS SHOWN— LETTERS, &c, 

" IN PRISON AND YE CAME UNTO ME." 

On the morning of the 21st of October, Mrs. Work, 
with three of her children, W. L. A., and M. C. (now 
my wife), arrived at our habitation. They called on 
the Chaplain, who accompanied them to the prison. 
Judge B. came in with him and said to us, " Wash 
yourselves, get shaved, put on clean clothes and pre- 
pare to go out and see them." We all went out into 
Capt. R.'s parlor, where we once more beheld the faces 
of those we loved. Mrs. R. and the Chaplain were present, 
but w T e could converse freely. It was a happy meeting. 
Mrs. R. was very kind to them. We conversed as long 
as we chose, and came back to our w T ork, after being as- 
sured that they could come in and see us, at our room, 
and on the Sabbath. They ate their meal, and came 
in. As they came to my room, the first words of M. C. 
w T ere, " I am glad you came here — there are so many 
slaves getting away, in consequence." Cheering. We 
quit work and came to our cell, where we all spent most 
of the day, in free conversation and prayer. Thus to 
unite our hearts and voices, was beyond expression de- 
lightful. How oft had we imagined such a scene ! How 
frequently talked about it, and besought the Lord for the 
blessing. And yet we never really expected so great a 
favor in a penitentiary where the rules are so strict. 

THE RULES. 

" Every visitor shall be accompanied by the overseer, 



244 GREAT PRIVILEGES. 

or some one of the guard, and shall, under no pretence 
whatever, he allowed to speak to any of the convicts, 
without the written permission of one of the inspectors." 

They had no such permission, nor had they seen the 
inspectors. 

Again, " No person, when on a visit to the penitentia- 
ry, shall be permitted to remain here longer than one 
hour." They staid a week. 

Again, " No person shall speak to, or hold any con- 
versation with any of the convicts, unless by the ex- 
press permission of the lessees, and then only in the pre- 
sence of some one of the guard or overseers?" 

Now, reader, keep these printed rules in mind, as I 
tell you of the blessings we enjoyed, so that, with us, 
you may " magnify the Lord," for the remarkable mani- 
festations of his great mercy to us. Generally, prison 
rules are very strict, and sometimes, almost like the 
laws of the Medes and Persians. Yet here, in a slave 
state, almost everything like a rule is set aside to show 
favor to the despised abolitionists and their friends. 
Who ever heard of such a thing? No other prisoners 
or their friends are thus treated. Well, it is no more 
than equitable. In our conviction, they entirely set 
aside law ; and why not now disregard their rules, and 
show us favor 1 But to proceed. The first day we were 
by ourselves, and could converse about what, and as 
we pleased, no man forbidding. 

At night, Mrs. R. would have us come out, and all 
eat supper with her. That evening, Judge B. asked 
Alanson and myself to go outside, and spend the evening 
with them. Alanson went, and spent the whole evening 
with his family alone. I chose to stay with James, and 
read letters, which they brought — some of which passed 
through the officers' hands, and some did not. O, what 
a feast ! They also brought us books — Holy War, H. 
Page, Christian Lyre, Dying Thoughts, Life of Payson 
— and winter clothing, quilts, flannels, stockings, two or 
three quires of writing paper, steel pens, and other arti- 
cles, all of which Judge B. allowed us to have, without 



JOY IN PRISON. 245 

once looking at them. This was perfectly contrary to 
their laws. 

Convicts permitted to have their pen, ink, and paper, 
to write when, what, and as much as they please ! 
Such was, and is the simple fact of the case. Well, 
" It is just like God," and in accordance with his pro- 
mise — " I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well, in 
the day of evil." 

On another evening, Alanson went out, and was 
alone with his family. He sang and prayed with them, 
gave them counsel, and encouraged them to trust in 
the Lord. Was ever convict treated thus ! See how 
the hearts of men are in the hands of the Lord. 

After reading the letters, I wrote the following in my 
journal. 

Glory to God, for such inestimable blessings. Ho- 
sannah, that the wheels are rolling, the light spreading, 
the old fabric tottering, and the cause advancing, though 
many rise up in violent opposition. Yes, glory to God 
that I am here ! — that he will take such feeble worms as 
we, to accomplish such wonderful results. His be the 
praise. O, how my soul leaps within me with re- 
joicing, to hear of the progress of the glorious cause ! 
Most cheerfully will I spend my days in prison, if such 
may be the blessed effects. The cause is God's and 
must prevail. Vain are threats and violence ; they are 
but oil to the fire ; stop the work they cannot. No, let 
earth and hell unite their force and rage, the Mighty 
Conqueror will tread them beneath his feet. The ban- 
ner of Liberty shall be unfurled, and the trumpet blown 
through all the land. Arise, ye brave ; unite your pow- 
ers, and enlist with your Captain. Wield manfully the 
" sword of the Spirit," relying on God, and victory is 
yours. Be valiant. Fear not. Regard not fines, me- 
naces, prisons, death. 

Ride on thou Mighty Conqueror — triumphantly ride, 
till all our land submit to thy peaceful sway — till " op- 
pression shall cease," and violence and spoil " be no 
more heard in our borders." 



246 DR. EELLS, AND GKO. THOMPSON. 

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM DR. EELLS. 

That such as the following should be permitted to 
come to us, is remarkable. 

Dear Brethren : 

The cause for which you suffer is on the advance 
through 1he country. I have also been called to suffer 
in the cause, which has not been in vain. That such a 
cause can be advanced without suffering and sacrifice, is 
utterly impossible ; and we ought to be willing to lay 
dowm our lives if necessary. Community are opening 
their eyes. The lover of liberty has more friends — the 
outcast finds a hiding place — the oppressed are deliver- 
ed — light is breaking in — and the whole land feels a 
tremendous agitation. " May God speed the work," is 
the prayer of thousands in our country ; and there is 
good evidence that the prayer is heard and answered. 
The field is great and white to the harvest. The north 
star shines as brightly as ever, and is directing many to 
the land of the free. 

R. Eells. 

the answer. 

Beloved Bro. E. : 

We could not help shouting and praising God, 
when we read your epistle. We hail you as a fellow- 
sufferer, yea, conqueror , in the cause of bleeding humani- 
ty. Do you not feel that it is good to suffer for the 
slave, who has suffered so much and sweat so profusely 
for you. I am heartily willing; yea, I rejoice to be 
u bound with him ;" yea, more, to lay down my life for 
the cause in which I am now toiling. Our work shall 
not be in vain. God will bless and give effect to every 
stroke, in pulling down the pillars on which the temple 
rests. Our prayers will come up before the mercy seat, 
and prevail. The groans and tears of the widow and 
fatherless shall be regarded and avenged. Be of good 
courage. Fear not what man can do unto you. Work 
with all your might. Rouse up all who feel for the slave 



GOV. R.*S REFUSAL OUR FRIENDS. 247 

to a united onset, and storm the enemy's camp. Face 
opposition, trust in God, and glorious will be the achieve- 
ment. George. 

On Sabbath morning, our friends came in and attended 
our prayer meeting, and assisted us by exhortation and 
prayer. We again had opportunity to converse with 
them. 

In the afternoon, they came in with J. R. to the guard 
room, where we spent some time in singing the u songs 
of Zion ;" while the prisoners, astonished and delighted, 
gathered around the door and window to listen. Also 
at preaching they were present, and took a part in the 
exercises. 

THE PETITION. 

During the week, they circulated a petition in the city 
for Alanson, which, with one Mrs. W. brought from 
Palmyra, they presented to Gov. Reynolds. He refus- 
ed to grant their request. The wife plead for her hus- 
band — " No." Our sister entreated — " No." The 
children, with tears, besought their father's restoration 
to them, — " Can't you let my father go home with me V 
" No, my child, I cannot." To Mrs. W. he said, " So 
long as the abolitionists keep up such an excitement, I 
cannot let your husband go." Many sympathized while 
others mocked. 

THE PRIVILEGE. 

From day to day our friends were allowed to come in 
without any officer, when they chose, and converse with 
us, at our work or in our cell. And what is the more 
remarkable, while we were at preaching, a number ran 
away from the brick yard, where they were at work ; 
and the next day a " break" was made from the rope 
walk, in which upwards of a dozen ran away. These 
things produced very great excitement in prison and in 
the city, yet our friends were allowed to come in as if 
nothing had happened. Thus we had abundant opportu- 
nity to sav to them all that we w T ished. 



148 GREAT PRIVILEGES. 

On the next Sabbath, they came to pur cell, and spent 
the day with us. It was a " high day." Here we 
sweetly united our hearts and voices, in prayer and 
praise, before the Lord. Then w r as the feast richer than 
ever. After being so long, 

" 'Mid scenes of confusion and creature complaints, 
How sweet to our souls was communion with saints." 

It was delightful, and God shall have the glory. 

They staid and ate dinner with us, partaking of our 
coarse prison fare, with their fingers (as yet, we ate our 
Sabbath dinner in our cell), thus, learning a little how to 
sympathize with poor prisoners — for, only by entering 
into the circumstances of others are we prepared to weep 
or rejoice with them ; and the more this is done in ima- 
gination, the better can we sympathize with, and ad- 
minister comfort to the afflicted. 

Alanson's little boy slept with us several nights. 

THE LETTERS. 

We wrote many letters to send by them, to our friends 
who could not come. The preceding letter from Dr. E. 
and the answer may be considered as a specimen of many 
we received and wrote at that time, which passed not 
through the officers' hands. And why should they be 
examined by the officers'? Already they had granted 
full liberty to talk what we pleased without their pre- 
sence. They had given us paper, pen, ink, and oppor- 
tunity to w T rite what we pleased — and what else could be 
expected, but that we should improve so favorable an 
occasion for pouring out the fulness of our almost burst- 
ing hearts, to stir up and quicken the friends of huma- 
nity 1 

Again, I gave Judge B. a bundle of eight or ten to 
examine, and he gave them back to me, to hand to our 
friends myself. From the appearance of the bundle it 
was manifest he had not opened it, to read a single letter. 
And a short time before this, he gave me a letter from 
home, without breaking the seal. Certainly this was as 
much as to say, " Write what you please." 



a slaveholder's kindness. 249 



THE DEPARTURE. 

On Monday morning they came again to our cell. 
We kneeled down, while I returned thanks to God for 
the rich displays of his mercy towards us, and commend- 
ed them to his protection and guidance during their jour- 
ney home. 

We then bade each other farewell, with as much cheer- 
fulness and composure as though to be separated but a 
few weeks. 

JUDGE B. J S HOSPITALITY. 

When our friends arrived at Jefferson, their money 
w T as spent, except enough to pay ferriage home. They 
were hospitably entertained, apparently as cordially as 
though they had been possessed of thousands of dollars. 
Their carriage broke, which he repaired gratuitously. 
The bill for their horse-keeping was five dollars — this 
Judge B. paid, refusing to receive recompense. And 
then we sent various articles of our manufacture to our 
friends, with his consent. When severely censured, in 
the papers, for treating the abolitionists with such kind- 
ness and partiality, he replied, " So long as they conduct 
themselves as they have thus far, I shall not regard such 
things at all." And when we thanked him for his kind- 
ness, he answered, " I have done no more than I felt it 
my duty to do." iC I want no compensation," &c. The 
Lord reward him. 

In view of all these things, my journal says — " The 
past week has been a memorable one indeed — a week of 
wonders, considering our circumstances. ' The good 
hand of our God upon us,' has been wonderful to us and 
to our fellow prisoners. They never saw such treatment 
of visitors or prisoners before. And where is the man 
who ever did ? 

" It seems as if I could not cease thanking my Savior 
for the great favor shown us on this happy occasion. 
Everlasting praise be to his name." 

Their presence here caused much talk, spread much 
light, and awakened an interest in many minds favorable 

11* 



250 SYMPATHY AWAKENED. 

to anti-slavery. After their departure, many came in to 
see the persons, about, whom so much was said ; and the 
countenances of many exhibited an unusual appearance 
of pity, which seemed to say — " I wish they were out of 
this place." Well, we shall go out, in God's own time 
which is the best. Till then we rejoice to wait. 



CHAPTER V. 

LICENTIOUSNESS OF THE SOUTH— LETTERS, &c. 

CRUEL DEATH. 

B. V. had been here more than a year. He was in a 
diseased state, most of the time, and was shamefully 
imposed upon by the officers, and Dr. Moore. He was 
sick, and unable to work, yet but little was done for 
him. He was taken with fits, and in great distress much 
of the time. Through hard-heartedness, or ignorance, 
the Dr. said to him, a little before his death, " there is 
nothing the matter of you, and you must go to work /" 
A fellow prisoner, who was a doctor, said, " with proper 
attention, the man might have been cured." Be that as 
it may, he did not have attention — and, no doubt, was 
virtually murdered. 

I had conversed with him some, but fear he was unpre- 
pared to die. 

In the fore part of November, Alanson was unwell for 
some days, but not confined to his bed, all the time. 

WHY WAS HE PARDONED ] 

Dr. B., who had been here, but a few weeks, was 
pardoned out, by Gov. Reynolds. Why? An extensive 
slaveholder, with plenty of money, came from the South, 
and undertook his case. To such a man, the Governor 
would listen — when, if a poor man had come to plead for 
his friend, probably it would have been of no avail, thus 



BRIBERY. 251 

clearly exemplifying Prov. xvii. 15, 23 ; Is. i. 23 ; v. 
20, 23. There have been a number of such cases. 

AMALGAMATION. 

A guard, in conversation with Alanson, about aboli- 
tion, amalgamation, &c, remarked, " probably one half 
of the white males in town, have unlawful intercourse 
with black women !" What a recommendation of the 
morality of a town, and of the healthful influence, and 
precious fruits of Slavery ! Yet who can deny the truth 
of it, in slave states] 

Slaveholders cry out against abolitionists, " Amalga- 
mation !" But from what source, do our tawny popula- 
tion proceed? From abolitionists, or slaveholders'? 
Doubtless the latter. Facts may speak, for they cannot 
be denied ? Where are mulattos the most numerous'? 
In the South. Who are the most valued 1 Fine mu- 
lattos. Whom do the gentry buy for their own unholy 
purposes 1 Mulattos. What children do fathers most 
value 1 Their mulatto children. On all these 
points, abundant testimony might be adduced, but why- 
multiply words 1 Is there not ample ocular demonstra- 
tion, that fathers and sons, lawyers* and statesmen,! 
rich and poor, in slave states, are engaged in this abo- 
mination ? " Mother of abominations !" ! how it 
destroys the moral sensibilities, and changes men into 
brutes and demons ! 

But again, a slave overseer from the South, was know- 
ing to the following. u In Adams County Mississippi, 
Abner Green, was a slaveholder. A Mr. Ford was his 
overseer. Maria was a slave girl, whom the overseer, 
with a cow-hide, whipped very hard fifteen times, for 
refusing to yield to his beastly desires !" 

Again. " Children are very often destroyed in wells, 
and various other ways, by slave mothers, hired so to do, 
by white fathers, to prevent exposure !" " It is common, 

* In Mississippi, the wife of a young lawyer shot herself, leaving a 
young child, because her husband had connection with the slaves. 

t A vile woman in town, said, one day. " I can show as much money, 
as any other woman in town, during the sitting of Legislature .'" 



*252 CORRUPTION. 

for masters, overseers, and young men to have inter- 
course with the slave women !" 

" Men from the North, who have wives, frequently go 
South, and commingle freely with the slaves — their 
wives knowing nothing of it !"* 

Daughters of the North, and of the church, what think 
you 1 Do you say, these are extreme cases 1 They 
are not so. They are common, every-day occurrences. 
I have it from witnesses, too numerous to be doubted — 
ear-witnesses, eye-witnesses, experimental witnesses — 
and everybody, who has lived long at the South, knows, 
and most are ready to own, that illicit intercourse w T ith 
the slaves is as common as the shining of the sun. 1 
might multiply facts, but will not defile my pages with 
such corruption. 

Reader, what will you do, to put away this abomina- 
tion ? 

THE FALSE TONGUE. 

Several of the guards, whose hearts were opposed to 
good, endeavored to injure us, by exciting the preju- 
dices of the officers against us — vilifying us to them, and 
others, on account of our principles. This has been 
frequently tried, by wicked guards. But in the midst of 
the multitude of " false tongues" that surround, and are 
draw T n against us, like " sharp swords," how has God 
wonderfully fulfilled His promise, Job v. 21; " thou 
shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue" — also in 
Ps. xxxi. 19, 20. Thus, " He is faithful that promised." 
In spite of their envy, defamations, malice, and lies, our 
"heads are lifted up above our enemies" — u our cup 
runneth over," and no man has been allowed to " set 
on us to do us hurt." Verily He is a lC shield and buck- 
ler, to all who trust Him." Malicious prisoners, have 
frequently tried the same thing, but God, as often, has 
" disappointed their crafty devices," and kept us securely. 

* A gentleman, in Huron County, Ohio, who has lived some time in 
Slave States, also confirmed the truth of this statement— declared that he 
knew the practice to be common ; and mentioned a number of his own 
acquaintance, who thus left their families, went South, and during theii 
residence there, lived with black women I 



GOD OUH SHIELD AND BUCKLER. 253 



THE INSPECTORS 7 FIRST EXAMINATION. 

It was the custom of the inspectors, to have all the priso- 
ners separately brought before them, about once a year ; 
at which time, each one had the privilege of making any 
complaint against the officer, respecting food, clothing, 
work, punishment, or any injustice — respecting all these 
things they were questioned — and the inspectors listened 
to ninny sorrowful tales and bitter complaints — some of 
which were true, some exaggerated, and some without 
any foundation. As they had confidence that we would 
speak only the truth, they were generally very particu- 
lar in their inquiries of us, respecting the officers, treat- 
ment of prisoners, sick, meetings, chaplain, &c. &c. 
We endeavored to tell them the truth, cut where it 
would. Thev treated us w r ith great respect, and allow- 
ed us to come near to them. 

At their first sitting, among many other things, they 
asked if" we thought the preaching did good — if it was 
spirited, pointed, and arousing — if the chaplain did his 
duty in efforts to reform the prisoners. To the last I 
was obliged to answer somewhat in the negative, as he 
rarely came during the week, except when called here 
by business. 

Our prayer meeting was freely talked about, and no 
objection whatever made to it. One proposed, and all 
thought it would be an excellent plan, that I should ad- 
dress all the prisoners on Sabbath morning — promised 
to converse with the officers, and if they were willing, 
have arrangements made. On Saturday, General 13. 
said, " I will go right out and have arrangements made 
for to-morrow." I told him I should consider it one of 
the greatest favors they could bestow upon me, as my 
desire was to be useful in every possible way, to my fel- 
low prisoners. But 1 suppose the officers were afraid 
of public odium and censure, should they grant the abo- 
litionists such privileges — indeed, they have expressed 
the same to me, themselves. I was not called on — 
though the inspectors thought the influence would be 
good on the prisoners, and were desirous to bring it about. 



254 KINDNESS OF INSPECTORS 

As their printed rules forbade our talking any, I asked 
the privilege of conversing with my fellow prisoners 
about their souls, (though I had all along taken it). 
They replied, " We have agreed to let you preach on 
Sabbath mornings ; and we grant you the same opportu- 
nity that we do the chaplain !" I asked for the Missiona- 
ry Herald — they granted it — though the law forbids any 
periodical being sent to a prisoner ! I asked for a work 
on the prophecies. They mentioned, and sent me, 
Isaac T. Hinton's " prophecies of Daniel and John" — 
then just published in St. Louis, in pamphlet form, ten 
numbers — which a fellow prisoner bound into a neat vo- 
lume — a book we read with great interest. 

They wished to have me steward of the hospital, that 
I might labor for the good of the sick, but I was too good 
a hand to work, for the officers to be willing to give me 
up. Money and not souls, was what they desired. 

Reader, these inspectors were all wicked men, yet see 
how God turned their hearts towards us. What but the 
Almighty Spirit could induce those in authority, and who 
are not governed by his laws, to deal thus kindly with 
men, who are the pests of their community, and the 
abomination or slave States 1 

They manifested their good will, and said, " We grant 
you anything that will conduce to the reformation of the 
prisoners." Our worldly-seeking officers will be held 
responsible for all the good that might have been done 
by the carrying out of the Inspectors' plan. 

OUR TEXTS CORRESPONDENCE W T ITH THE CHAPLAIN. 

With the chaplain I had frequently conversed on the 
subject of slavery. He said he was opposed to the 
system — never did, and never would hold a slave, but 
could not approbate our course. He requested me to 
write down for him the passages of scripture, by which 
we justified ourselves in helping slaves. As I did not 
keep a copy of the letter, I can only give the reader the 
references, with some of the principal ideas. 

In the commencement, I laid down the doctrine that 
" human legislation cannot unman the slave" — that 



LETTER TO THE CHAPLAIN. ^55 

u man, born in the image of God, is maw, of whatsoever 
color, rank, or condition" — that " there is no such thing 
as property in man." Therefore, it being true that 
the slave is a man, the commands respecting helping the 
poor, relieving the distressed, &c, apply to him as our 
" brother," our " neighbor," " bone of our bone, and 
flesh of our flesh," as really as to any other class of pooi 
and needy. 

I rejoiced to comply with his request, as it gave me 
an opportunity of preaching the truth, backed up at 
every step with a " Thus saith the Lord ;" to which he, 
as Zion's Watchman, was bound to give heed and obey. 

The references— Luke x. 27, 30-37 ; Heb. xiii. 3 ; 
Prov. iii. 27 ; xiv. 31 ; xvii. 5 ; xxi. 13 ; xxiv. 11, 12 , 
Matt. v. 7 ; vii. 12 ; xxv. 34-45 ; Mark xiv. 7 ; Deut. 
xv. 7, 8, 10, 11 ; xxiii. 15, 16 ; Jo&xxix. 11-17 ; xxxi. 
15-22, 32 ; Ps. xli. 1-3 ; lxxxii. 4 ; Is. xvi. 3 ; lviii. 10 ; 
Jer. xxi. 12 ; xxii. 3. Each of these references was 
followed by appropriate explanations, questions, and 
remarks, which the reader must imagine for himself. 

ANSWER. 

City of Jefferson, Aug. 12, 1844. 
Bro. Thompson : 

As to the abstract principle of Slavery, we would 
not attempt to vindicate it — but as to the measures by 
which the evil is to be removed, that is quite a different 
matter. That modern abolitionism is fraught with dis- 
astrous consequences both to master and slave, is a fact 
too notorious to be denied. Measures should be adopted 
for the emancipation of the slaves, but without interfer- 
ing with our political institutions any further than by 
moral suasion. 

I find slavery from the days of Abraham to the pre- 
sent time, and none of the sacred writers ever interfere 
with it as an institution, but they enjoin obedience on 
the part of servants to their masters, and never 
authorize resistance on their part, or an effort to secure 
their freedom. The apostle says, " Art thou called, 
being a servant, care not for it ; but if thou mayest be 



~jb LETTER FROM A MISSOURI BROTHER. 

free, use it rather" — that is, if the master of the slave 
will voluntarily free him, let him receive his freedom — 
but if not, let him not care about it ! 

As to the passages of Scripture you quoted, I deem 
them all irrelevant, and havinc; nothing to do with the 
subject of slavery. They have general reference to 
acts of oppression, as practised by the rich upon the 
poor, and will be seen in the conduct of the rich in free 
States towards their hired servants, more clearly than in 
the conduct of the master toward the slave," and so on, 
a sheet full of opposition to abolitionism, of a similar 
character to the above. 

It needs no comment. He did not give me the letter 
till about nine months after I wrote to him, and then 
just as he was leaving, so that I had no opportunity to 
reply to him. 

As to the references, T leave the reader to judge ; 
whether they are relevant or not. 

THE MISSOURI BROTHER. 

The following letter was handed to us, privately, but 
it is deemed not unadvisable now to make it public. It 
was a reviving cordial to our souls. It shows also, 
that even in Missouri, are some warm-hearted friends of 
the slave. This man was known to be anti-slavery, but 
being a wealthy merchant in St. Louis, he stood his 
ground. 

THE LETTER. 

Jefferson, Nov. 23, 1843. 
To my dear brethren, Thompson, Burr, and Work, 
" Peace be multiplied from God our Father and from 
Jesus Christ our Lord:" 

My Beloved Brethren : 

Will please excuse the liberty I take in address- 
ing this to them. The other day, when in the confines 
of your wretched abode, I saw you all, but was denied 
the privilege of speaking one single word to you, though 
I could scarce refrain. I wanted to tell Bro. George 



LETTER FROM A MISSOURI BROTHER. 257 

Thompson to be u strong in the Lord," knowing that " all 
who live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution." 
The more the God of this degenerate world exalts him- 
self in opposition to truth, the more he disposes every 
sincere heart for the reception of it. You are, my (]v,lr 
Brother T. in a trying and afflictive situation — but oh, 
trust in God, and these afflictions that appear dark and 
mysterious, will ultimately work out your eternal good 
and the general good of thousands. " I would that ye 
should understand," says Paul, " that the things which 
happened unto me, have fallen out rather unto the fur- 
therance of the gospel," &c. The Lord bless thee, my 
dear Brother Thompson, with all his communicable ful- 
ness. Be assured his grace shall be sufficient for thee. 
Trust in Him with all thy heart, and thee shall be 
enabled to say with St. Paul, " I take pleasure in infirmi- 
ties, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in 
distresses, for Christ's sake." 

" Prisoner of hope, be strong, be bold, 
Cast off thy doubts, disdain to fear, 
Dare to believe — on Christ lay hold. 
Wrestle with him in mighty prayer, 
Tell Him I will not let Thee go, 
Till I thy name, Thy nature know." 

Farewell, my friend and brother. Thee shall not be 
forgotten at the mercy-seat. Peace be with thy spirit. 

To my dear Brother Burr: — " Because thou hast 
kept the word of his patience, the Lord, even thy God, 
will keep thee in the time of affliction, trial, and tempta- 
tion." a He that overcometh, shall be clothed in white 
raiment, and shall sit down with my Father in the king- 
dom." Bear in mind the immutability of the promises, 
and be assured they are on your side. " Lo, I am with 
yc»u alway, even unto the end," says the blessed 
Savior. 

O, believe it, dear Brother Burr. Humble faith claims 
the blessed Jesus as the help of the helpless — the 
strength of the weak — the riches of the poor, — the peace 
of the disquieted — comfort of the afflicted, light of those 
who sit in darkness, the companion of the desolate, 



253 LETTER FROM A MISSOURI BROTHER. 

Friend of the friendless, the redemption of captives— 
in a word, He is our all and in all, now, this very moment* 
and shall be^br ever. 

Never fear, my dear Brother B. Be not in the least 
:ast down. Rather count it an honor to suffer for the 
cause of Christ, and his poor, afflicted, suffering people. 
The time is not far distant, when Ethiopia shall stretch 
her bleeding hands to God, and this wicked nation shall 
know that there is a God, who executeth judgment and 
justice, and who ruleth in righteousness. Lord, hasten 
the time. Thousands of his saints join in — Lord, hasten 
the time ; Amen. 

The influence by which my brethren are surrounded 
is bad — it will, therefore, be highly essential for you to 
importunately entreat the Searcher of hearts, to keep 
the candle of his grace lighted in your souls, then you 
will easily discern, if the inward parts are " Holiness to 
the Lord." The Lord bless thee, by dear Brother Burr, 
with every new-covenant blessing. 

" No man too largely from Heaven's love can hope, 
If what he hopes he labors to secure." 

" Man's inhumanity to man, makes countless millions mourn." — 
"Burns. 

" Man is to man the sorest, surest ill." — Young. 
I am thy affectionate friend and brother. 

To my Dear Friend and Brother Work : 

To you as well as to the other two brethren, I am 
a stranger in person, but not in spirit. 

I would say to Brother Work, "take courage." 
God says to thee as He did to Abraham, " I am thy 
shield, and exceeding great rew T ard." I was at Quincy, 
a short time ago — went to see thy companion, and thy 
dear children — they were all well. Thou need not feel 
concerned about thy family. The Lord will raise them 
up friends. I have no doubt that many of the brethren 
will esteem it an honor and a privilege, as well as their 
Christian duty, to contribute to their necessities, whilst 
the head and father suffers in the cause of truth and 
righteousness. 



LETTER FROM A MISSOURI BROTHER. 269 

The Lord thy God will bless thee and thy family. 
He will make thy light break forth as the morning. I 
understand Brother Work is a Mason. I will not fail 
to try what the Grand Lodge will do for his deliverance. 
I think perhaps something can be done in this way. 
Try and be patient. Trust in the Lord, and He will 
bring it to pass. 

I know you suffer unjustly, and am persuaded in my 
own mind that you have been put where you are, ille- 
gally, according to the laws of Missouri. On the 
other hand, I believe the Lord overruled the affair, for 
the saving of your lives — for if you had been acquitted, 
you would all have certainly been murdered. The in- 
furiated mob, with their faces all blacked, had prepared 
the gallows, and even the ropes, for your execution ! 

O ! " tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets 
of Askelon." But never fear, Dear Brother Work, nor 
be in the least discouraged ; it will come out right at 
last. But look to him on whose shoulders is laid the 
government of the world, and yet, astonishing humilia- 
tion ! felt the infamous load of a malefactor's cross ! 
Barbarous soldiers, followed by an enraged mob, led 
Him like a lamb to the slaughter, that we might be 
delivered from the heavy curse of the law, and gently 
conveyed by the celestial powers, into Abraham's 
bosom. My sheet is full before I was aware — so I must 
subscribe myself, 

Your sincere friend and brother, in the cause of God 
and of the oppressed. 

This letter was to us almost like a voice from heaven. 
The Providence which gave it to us was remarkable— 
but the Lord will find ways enough to convey to his 
children all that they need. 

CHANGE OF WARDENS, AGAIN. 

About the ninth of December, Capt. Richmond sold 
out his half of the penitentiary, to a company in Si. 
Louis, " Blaine, Tompkins, and Barret," ungodW, ava- 
ricious men. 



200 CHANGES. 

Many regretted the change, but we committed it all 
to God, believing that he could guide our vessel safely 
through. 

The new wardens were wealthy business men, and 
they introduced many changes, improvements in ma- 
chinery, &c. 

They were also slaveholders, and looked upon an 
abolitionist with feelings more bitter than Brown and 
Richmond — but, by our conduct, we commended our- 
selves to their consciences, so that they were obliged to 
treat us with respect. But Blaine's character will more 
fully appear as we advance. Just here, I will say for 
him, that he treated the sick with more humanity, and 
would have the prisoners fed better, than any previous 
officer. 

NEW OVERSEER. 

Our uncle Joseph (as we called our good overseer), 
was so kind and gentle that, many would take advantage 
and misbehave — yet all liked him, and his kindness has 
often conquered the hardest, where whips would only 
have exasperated to desperation. But he was not cruel 
enough to satisfy the wardens, and he had to resign his 
station to a new overseer, on the 11th of December. 
And " then a new king arose, which knew not Joseph. " 
He was a very unfeeling, tyrannical man, having been 
so long accustomed to rule over men, in other prisons, 
that he seemed perfectly hardened. He walked about in 
a very lordly manner, with a haughty scowl, giving his 
orders and regulations. 

His first step was to forbid the Savior's name being 
acknowledged at the table, and turning us, as far as he 
could, into infidels or brutes. This step caused the 
wicked to triumph. They had been much annoyed by 
havino- a blessing sought on the food, but when they 
saw this new regulation, they exulted over the Chris- 
tians, as if they had gained some great victory. We 
went to the former overseer — his power was gone, and 
he could do nothing. We went to Judge Brown — he 
would do nothing. We went to the inspectors, and 



LAMPS. 261 

they did nothing. We went to Jesus, rolled our burden 
on Him, and there left it. 

LAMPS TAKEN AWAY. 

Judge B. and uncle Joseph had granted a number of 
the prisoners a lamp, by which they might spend their 
evenings in reading, and thus improve and store their 
minds with useful knowledge. 

Many of the converts were thus privileged, who eager- 
ly improved it, much to their benefit and comfort. We 
furnished them with books, which they read with great 
interest and profit. But this was too much for Blaine 
and Mo C. (our new overseer) . They could not endure 
to see prisoners take so much enjoyment and quiet satis- 
faction. Accordingly, their next step was to take away 
all the lamps — thus obliging those who desired to im- 
prove themselves, to spend their Long, cold, winter nights, 
in darkness and solitude. While many were benefitted 
by the lamps, no one was injured thereby. But Mc C. 
must show either his authority, or his hatred to that 
which is good. 

We were ordered to put out our light, and did so — 
but the next day, we went to Judge B., who readily 
consented to let us have it again, and we enjoyed our 
usual privilege, while others were deprived. Soon, 
another, and another, and another obtained from him 
the same privilege ; and some took it without asking. 
Then again, after a while, Mc C. gave another sweeping 
order, and all lights were extinguished. We went to 
Judge B.; he readily granted the continuance of ours. 
The same thing was acted over again and again, but still 
the Lord gave us our lamp. Finally, Judge B. said, 
ci You can have it, but you must keep it to yourselves, 
and not let other prisoners see you have it." So we 
had our steel, flint, tinder, and matches, and lit our 
lamp after we were locked up at night. " Behold the 
goodness of the Lord !" 

On every occasion, when our lamp was taken away, 
we went to God and asked Him for it — He heard, and 
immediately restored it to us. 



262 BENEFITS OF GODLINESS. 

For this blessing we cannot be sufficiently thankful. I 
know not how I could have got along without it. Besides 
our devotional reading, and singing, newspaper reading, 
book reading, letter writing, journalizing, book writing, 
&c, my volume of Poems, composed at my work, has been 
principally written after night. I am aware that our officers 
and Missourians little thought of what use our lamp was 
to us, but our God knew what we needed, and provided it. 
But setting aside all our writings, our light was an in- 
valuable blessing. By it, we read the Bible through and 
through, and who can compute the value of the know* 
ledge thus obtained ! 

Ah ! little do they who have never been deprived of 
their comforts realize the importance and worth of what 
they enjoy, and of which multitudes are deprived. Rea- 
der, may it never be necessary for God to take away 
your privileges, to teach you the worth of them. 

THE LOAD OF SIN. 

In a prayer meeting, Dec. 17th, three of the converts, 
in speaking of the goodness of God to them, mentioned 
their improved health, which they attributed to the cast- 
ing off the load of sin which bore so heavily upon them ; 
and to their loving, and obeying God. Multitudes of 
Christians would never have thought of such a cause ; 
and yet it is perfectly scriptural. The Bible speaks of 
" length of days," " long life," freedom from disease, 
&c, as being a result of obeying God. As " envy is 
the rottenness of the bones," so a " sound heart is the 
life of the flesh" — and " godliness has promise of the 
life that now is." It is also a very natural result. O! 
could you hear them tell of the continual sorrow, and 
disquietude of their minds, while in sin, you would say. 
it must be very wearing to the physical life — but 
when they turned to God, their souls were filled with 
peace and quietness. Solomon says, " A cheerful heart 
doeth good like a medicine." What active Christian does 
not know this? 

NEW RESPONSIBILITIES, AND DUTIES. 

Dec. 18. The overseer called me to the guard room. 



PRIVILEGES AND TRIALS. 263 

and said, " We have agreed to place implicit confidence 
in you, that you will regard the best interests of the In- 
stitution." " I have, sir, heretofore, and I shall con- 
tinue so to do. I feel it to be my duty." " That's the 
character given you, and now we want you to act, as 
foreman of the weaver's shop (about twenty hands). 
I shall hold you responsible for the conduct of the hands 
— the quantity, and quality of their work, and for the 
supply of materials wherewith to keep them busy, you 
will be responsible to me, and I shall be responsible 
to the wardens. And now I want you to report 
every instance of misconduct, otherwise the blame will 
come upon you," &c. I felt it to be a very undesirable 
station — for I found it about as much as 1 could do, to 
w T atch, and keep myself straight, together with all the 
care, anxiety, and watchfulness, devolving upon me, re- 
specting the many weak lambs, without, the load of 
twenty wild, profane, mischief-making men, being laid 
upon me. But go forward, I must, claiming the promise, 
" as thy day is, so shall thy strength be." They were 
continually breaking the rules ; but to report, and have 
them whipped, I did not desire. I coaxed and warned, 
I threatened and plead, but they only took advantage of 
my good nature and forbearance, which often almost 
vexed my spirit to impatience, but the grace of God was 
" sufficient" for me. 

The station brought with it its advantages as well as 
its trials. 

1. I had to work but little. 

2. I could talk freely with them all, on any subject. 

3. I could go to any shop in the prison, and talk with 
the prisoners when I pleased. 

4. I could spend much of my time in reading. 

5. I could go to my cell for prayer when I chose. 

6. I could remain out of my cell, on the Sabbath, and 
converse with whom I saw proper, and other sirnilai 
privileges. I tried to improve these advantages for the 
good of my fellow prisoners — and not in vain. God 
blessed my efforts. 

But the station brought with it other trials. It was 



264 DELIVERANCE FROM TROUBLE. 

customary for the hands to do overwork, for which they 
were paid in flour, molasses, tobacco, &c, on Sabbath 
morning. The foreman had to go all around the prison 
to find his hands, and give them their pay. This I de- 
termined I would not do on the Sabbath. 

On one morning I was called to the guard room, igno- 
rant of what was wanted, and was offered some molas- 
ses, short cake, butter, &c, (as all foremen were allow- 
ed). I told him, " I do not wish any, sir.*' " Tell 
Work to come dow T n, and get some if he wishes." " He 
does not wish any, sir — the greatest favor you can grant 
us is, to let us have the Sabbath sacred to ourselves." 
" You may, but you must conform to prison rules — they 
must be obeyed, without distinction. We keep the Sab- 
bath sacred, and make the prisoners observe it.(!) We 
wish to see all moral. (!) I believe in being religious 
every day^(f) though I belong to no church. You may 
stay in your cell, and read, and pray, as much as you 
choose,'* &c. And that very day, a number of hands 
had to work a great part of it, getting bagging to the 
river ! And this is a specimen of how they " keep the 
Sabbath sacred." Everything that can possibly be, is 
crowded into the Sabbath, to save week time, and yet 
with brazen face they can say, " We keep the Sabbath 
sacred !" Abominable. 

He gave me some tobacco to carry round to my hands, 
which I kept till Monday, and then gave it to them, as 
they came to their work. 

A TRYING TIME. 

On a certain week, a number of my hands did over- 
work. I looked forward to the Sabbath with many anx- 
ious thoughts. Saturday night I went to Judge B. and 
begged to be excused from waiting on my hands on the 
Sabbath. u You cannot be excused, Thompson." I 
looked at both sides of the question — by refusing, I 
might expect the displeasure of the officers, and their 
influence against me — a mangled back, and scars for 
life ; and what more I knew not. On the other hand, I 
should have a consciousness of " obeying God, rather 



REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST. 265 

than men/' remembering that " it is thankworthy, 
if a man for conscience toward God, endure grief, 
suffering wrongfully." I went to God, and my mind 
fully settled on keeping the Sabbath, let the conse- 
quences be what they might. I threw myself on the 
promises, and patiently awaited the morning of decision 
— when, lo ! a fellow-foreman came for my book, and 
of his own accord, offered to attend to my hands, him- 
self, that I might not be troubled on the Sabbath. The 
hand of God was manifest, and my heart involuntarily 
arose in thanksgiving to the u Hearer of prayer." 

This prisoner was a wicked man, but knew my feel- 
ings about the Sabbath, and having hands of his own to 
attend to, volunteered to attend to mine at the same time ! 
I was no more molested in this way. The hand of God 
on the wicked officers, restrained them from ever asking 
us to break the Sabbath. 

THE NEW YEAR. 

Jan. 1st, 1844, we observed as well as we could, as 
a day of fasting and prayer for the conversion of the 
world. We fasted, but being so occupied w T ith labors 
we could not pray, except at our work, while others 
were eating, and in the evening ; at which time we had 
a blessed season. 

In my journal I recorded " How comforting to feel 
that God knows all our circumstances ! If there be 
first a willing mind, it is accepted," &c. 

The past has been a year of great things, but its ac- 
counts are now sealed for the judgment. How has Jesus 
plead our cause ! While the arrows of envy, malice, 
and spite have been darted at us, we have been kept 
under the shadow of his wings. While death has cut 
down on the right hand and left, we are spared. While 
thousands have suffered with hunger, " bread has been 
given us, and our water has been sure," and we have 
had many comforts. While others have been filled with 
fear and uneasiness, we have been kept in peace. 
What scenes have we witnessed ! What songs of 
thanksgiving from " new-born babes'?" Our cell has 

12 



266 IT IS GOOD TO BE HERE. 

been " the house of God and the gate of heaven.' 
Truly it is the Lord. 

We will thank God and take courage — " Praise him 
for all that is past, and trust him for all that's to come." 
He who has been with us thus far, will not. now forsake 
us — no never, never. Come what will, we shall " lack 
no good thing." 

EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A FRIEND. 

Speaking of a prayer meeting on the first Sabbath of 
the year I said, 

" I expect to remember that delightful season when at 
the right hand of my Savior with all the blood-washed com- 
pany. And do you not think it will interest the Redeemer 
to listen to my simple story, of the amazing goodness 
of that Savior in whose presence we shall all be assem- 
bled 1 And will it not heighten their joy, and increase 
the sweetness of their harps, as I may be permitted to 
point to one and another, and say, " This man was born 
there." O, there are many trials, yet " it is good to be 
here." Never did I feel more contented with my condi- 
tion than now, and you will find the reason beautifully 
expressed in Abbott's " Young Christian," chapter se- 
cond, page thirty-seventh, last half — story of Howard. 

Alanson says, if ever he goes as a missionary, he feels 
bound to the place, " where the Ethiope dwells." 
James' heart flies across the ocean to the same. We 
agree as touching this thing." 

George, 
a great break. 

When one or more run away, it is called " a break." 
On the fourteenth of January, after preaching, as some fe- 
males were going out at the gate — a plan having been 
previously laid — one man knocked the gate keeper 
down ; another pulled the gate open, and a rush was 
made for liberty. Seventeen went out before the 
gate could be ciosed. They were so eager, that they 
trampled one on another, each caring only for himself. 
The large bell rang, and the citizens of Jefferson were 



267 

quickly in the pursuit, on horseback and on foot, with 
muskets, and other warlike weapons. The prisoners 
were surrounded, and before midnight, all but one were 
again within the walls. This one was shot in the side, 
and was unable to be brought back for months ; finally 
he came. 

All were sentenced to receive thirty-nine stripes with 
the raw-hide, and to have the head shaved with the ra- 
zor, for six months. It being on the Sabbath, and just 
after preaching, it was a distressing scene. Thus the 
minds of all were diverted from the truth to which they 
had been listening. O, how many ways has Satan to 
" catch away the word that is sown." 

In times of such disturbances, the innocent suffer 
with the guilty, for all are treated with more rigor and 
severity for some time. In the midst of such confusion 
and excitement, it was sweet to us to reflect, " Thou 
rulest the raging of the seas — when the waves thereof 
arise, Thou stillest them." " Surely the wrath of man 
shall praise Thee — the remainder of wrath wilt thou re- 
strain." 

THE BROKEN ARM. 

On the 19th of January as James was at work cal- 
endering bagging, his fingers caught in the machine, 
winding his hand and arm around an iron bar about one 
and a half inches in diameter. Before the machinery 
could be stopped it had wound his arm up about half 
way to the elbow, mangling and bruising the fingers 
and hand, and breaking into a number of pieces the 
two wrist bones, one of which protruded through the 
flesh. It was providential that his whole arm was not 
taken from his body, or he in a moment crushed to 
death. But the Lord, who is w r ise and good, knows just 
how much to afflict us, " that we may be partakers of 
his holiness" — how far to suffer the proud waves to 
advance, before He says, " Hitherto shalt thou come, 
but no further" — and he will not lay upon us more than 
we are able to bear, for " He knoweth our frame, He 
remembereth that we are dust." 



268 TREATMENT OF JAMES. 

He came to the cell — the doctor was soon present, 
and set it according to the best of his skill ; which we 
feared at the time, was not very good, as the result 
proved. He bore the setting very well, scarcely utter- 
ing a groan — painful yet needful. 

The weather being moderate, he chose to remain in 
the cell, as the hospital at that time was extremely filthy, 
and the company unpleasant and disgusting. 

After all had left the cell, he broke out into singing — 
after which he said, " It is all right." ki Good is the 
word of the Lord," &c. At our evening devotions, he 
united with us in singing and prayer. That night and 
most of the next day, I was with him. The pain, of 
course, was constant, so that he lost much sleep. In the 
course of four or five days, the hospital w T as prepared 
for him, and he was removed thither, where the steward 
waited on him. There he had his bed, large rocking 
chair, books, fire, and some few things from outside — a 
little milk, a trifle of light bread, a few apples, &c, but 
his diet was principally such as the prison afforded — 
corn bread and bacon, mush or gruel. He was there 
tolerably comfortable, though much annoyed. The doc- 
tor assisted in dressing his arm two or three timey, and 
then left it to do as it might, and probably he would 
have lost his hand altogether, but for the kindness of 
Capt. R., who was an old sea-doctor, and gave counsel 
respecting it. 

In about eight months, he began to do a little at light 
work, but it became stiff, so that he can do but little of 
any kind of work, and it being his right hand, he is the 
more disabled. And there is no doubt that it is owing to 
Dr. Moore's ignorance, but more to his carelessness and 
indifference, that James has not now the free use of his 
arm. Dr. Davidson looked at it, and said, " It might 
have been saved if it had been attended to, but now it is 
too late." Other experienced physicians were brought 
in to look at it, and gave the same opinion. But " it is 
all for the best." 

If the cause in, and for which, we are suffering, be 
that of Truth and Righteousness, then are all our suffer- 



SCARS, FOR JESUS' SAKE. 269 

ings here for the sake of Christ, and his " little ones." 
Such being the case, James can ever after sing a sono-, 
in which I cannot yet unite, viz. : " I bear in ray body, 
the marks of the Lord Jesus." And what Christian would 
not glory in being able to say this in truth ? What a 
satisfaction to the mind of one who has been lacerated, 
wounded or maimed, to look on his scars, and feel that 
the} art for the sake of Jesus! And as they are 
tokens, or evidences of his love to his Master, so are 
1hey the means of quickening, increasing, and cementing 
his attachments to his Lord and Savior. " Henceforth, 
let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks 
of the Lord Jesus." Sweet! 

to mrs. beardsley joy of faith. 

Beloved Sister : 

I am full of joy and peace in believing. It flows 
into my soul like a clear, smooth, peaceful river, pro- 
ceeding from the throne of God. 0, the blessedness of 
believing what our heavenly Father says. It keeps the 
soul quiet in times of commotion and danger; fills it 
with light in the deepest darkness — yea, as the Prophet 
has inimitably expressed it, " in perfect peace." A 
little faith will disperse every cloud, put to flight every 
lion, and scatter all the objections, and hobgoblins, that 
unbelief can present. It is a lesson that takes some a 
great while to learn, but the why is because they want 
their own way, and think they know better than God, 
what will be for their good. How else can we account 
for the murmurings of so many, when God frustrates 
their plans. Why so much uneasiness when a shower 
falls at a time they did not wish, or frost cuts off the 
crops, or their fields are laid bare by some providence ] 
Why all this weeping and dejection, when sickness pros- 
trates them, or their friends or relatives are snatched 
away by death, or by some rude barbarous hand, into a 
hostile country, to suffer and toil ? Why all these, and 
ten thousand similar feelings, under afflictive dispensa- 
tions of Providence? Either they do not really believe 
that God governs the world, or that He mistakes Himself 



270 BLESSEDNESS OF FAITH. 

sometimes, with respect to their particular case. Could 
they in all dispensations, see and acknowledge the hand 
of God, as wise, kind, faithful, mighty, O, how instan- 
taneously would the troubled emotions of the soul be 
quieted to peace and joy unutterable. I sometimes am 
so filled with pity for those under the influence of 
unbelief, I almost wish a tongue and power I have 
not, to place before them the excellencies of faith. It 
opens the blind eyes — it looks at things as they are. 
See two persons in the same circumstances, under the 
different influences of faith, and unbelief, and what a 
contrast ! 

It was this matchless principle, that gave me joy and 
peace, when the guns were pointed at my breast — when 
dragging the heavy chain, and listening to the sentence 
of twelve years in the penitentiary ! It is this " faith 
which works by love," that has supported, and cheered 
my soul, amid all my trials. 

I rejoice that I came here — that I am here — that I may 
be here. When the Lord has done with me here, he 
will give me another field. u My meat is to do the will 
of Him that sent me." My self, circumstances, inte- 
rests, friends, comforts, trials, all, I commit to, and leave 
with my God, saying, " Father, glorify thy name." 
" Here am I, do with me, as seemeth thee good." Fare* 
well. George. 

CUTTING HAIR, AND SHAVING HEADS. 

It was the usual custom of the officers to cut the hair 
close, on one half of the head — and in cases of miscon- 
duct, to shave the head. 

For a year and a half or two years, our hair was cut 
in the fashion. Then it was suffered to grow naturally. 
Most of the prisoners thought it a great trial to have 
their heads thus disfigured — and indeed it did present a 
singular appearance — but I never thought it of sufficient 
consequence to ask for — if they " gave me my hair," 
well and good — if not, it was all the same. They were 
welcome, as I frequently told them, to a half, or the 
whole, if they wished it. The character was not affect- 



HAIR CUTTING. 271 

ed thereby. It is done to keep prisoners from escaping, 
but it is all folly — for if a man is resolved to run away, 
he will go just as quick without, as with hair. Shortly 
after McC. came, he gave orders to shave one side of 
the heads of the prisoners. Some, by hard pleading, 
got excused — but to us there was nothing said about 
shaving heads, or cutting hair. And from that time, 
with a few short exceptions, when there has been great 
excitement, on the occasion of a " break," or some such 
thing, we have had our hair. 

Many have been sent forth with one side of their hair 
cut close — and one man had his whole head shaved, a 
day or two before he was discharged — both of which are 
in direct opposition to law. 

DR. ELY. 

Jan. 28. The celebrated Dr. Ely preached to us. 
All that he said, was good, plain truth, but- spoken in 
such a light manner, as to cause much laughter, and I 
fear, spoiled the good effect it might have had. The 
recollection of his past conduct, respecting Marion city, 
and his slave Ambrose, and slavery, so rushed upon my 
mind, that, I confess I could not receive that profit, I 
otherwise would have gained. He once was a great 
man, but where is he now 1 O ! how his case should 
teach us to keep humble at the Savior's feet, and watch- 
fully avoid everything that will tend to lead us away 
from God ! 

I spoke to him. He said he recognised me as one of 
the three — (he w T as present at our trial). He went in to 
see James, and talked with Alanson, but could not give 
much comfort — u If I was thus separated from my fam- 
ily," said he, " I should be very unhappy." 

GOV. REYNOLDS SUICIDE ! 

Feb. 9, 1844, was an eventful day. Gov. R. after 
making out his will, writing letters to several persons, 
&c, retired from the breakfast table to his office, and 
deliberately committed suicide, by discharging the con- 



272 GOD DEFENDS THE WIDOW AND FATHERLESS. 

tents of a loaded rifle into his head. He had pardoned 
out a number of wilful murderers, while the cases of 
others were rejected ; and finally has gone himself to 
reap a murderer's reward ! 

Something of the kind we had looked for. We had 
long prayed that if he could not be converted, but was 
fully bent on withstanding the Almighty, and trampling 
down justice and judgment, he might, by some means, 
be removed, that the cause of suffering humanity might 
advance. The cries and tears of many fatherless chil- 
dren, and desolate widows, had long been ascending to 
heaven against him. And as God has said He " will 
surely hear their cry," is it any wonder that he was cut 
down, in awful judgment 1 

iC The fatherless and widow," are objects of heaven's 
special care, and protection. And just as certain as 
" in thee the fatherless findeth mercy," so surely will 
their " Redeemer thoroughly plead their cause," " hear 
their cry, and save them" from their rich and proud op- 
pressors. Well did a noble British officer,* in the time 
of the Revolution, on hearing of the cruelties of some 
of his fellow-officers, to the widows and fatherless, re- 
mark to a widow, " Such men will ruin our cause ; for 
the word of God assures us, that His ear is always open 
to the cry of the widow and orphan — and believe me, 
madam, I dread their cry, more than I do the shouts of 
an enemy' 's army" 

Yes, sooner let kings and monarchs seek my life, than 
the orphan's or widow's cry ascend to heaven against 
me. Rather let me cause " the widow's heart to sing for 
joy ;" and let " the blessing of those who are ready to 
perish, come upon me," and I am happy. 

Remembering the danger of indulging in improper 
feelings at the downfall of an enemy, we called to mind 
the injunction, " Rejoice not, when'thine enemy falleth, 
jest the Lord see it, and it displease Him." 

As we felt it to be the hand of God, we could but say 

* Major Muckleworth. 



THE CLASS. 273 

Amen, and pray that He would accomplish His own 
purposes, by the event. 

The Lieutenant Gov. Marmaduke was sent for, and 
took his place. 

THE CLASS ORGANIZED, AND BROKEN UP. 

1 had often urged the chaplain to form some kind of 
an organization for the converts, by which we might be 
regulated in receiving, disciplining, and cutting off mem- 
bers— that it might be known who were " of us," and 
who were not— but was put off from time to time, with 
one excuse and another, for about eleven months. Every 
one who went up to be prayed for, was looked upon by 
the wicked, as having " joined the church," and when 
any who had been to the anxious seat, whether convert- 
ed or not, " turned back," they were pointed at, saying, 
" There is one of your professors !" " That's your 
Christianity I" " I knew they were all hypocrites !" 
&c. Thus the reproach was cast upon all — " for 
whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with 
it." 

And there being no way to deal with backsliders, they 
were still looked upon by the wicked, as belonging to 
the church, and in fellowship with those who walked 
uprightly. Some of these very backsliders would some- 
times attend the meeting, sing, and even pray, which 
grieved some honest hearts, and gave the wicked occa- 
sion to rejoice, but what could I do ? Should I tell them 
that I did not wish to see them in the meeting, this 
would create disturbance. Should I forbid them to' sing 
or pray, I should be called partial, intolerant, and 
charged with domineering over men's consciences. I 
was much tried — yet felt it my duty to give full liberty 
for any to speak or pray, who felt so disposed. 

At length the chaplain came with a methodist u class 
paper" — talked with the overseer, who gave permission 
to have a class formed — promised to furnish a room, 
where we could meet every Sabbath — that I should put 
such names on the paper, as I thought proper, which 
persons should be allowed to attend the meeting — must 

12* 



274 CLASS ORGANIZED AND BROKEN UP. 

give the guard a list of the names, that he might know 
whom to leave out of their cells, to meet in class — for 
now all others were locked up, and not allowed to attend 
unless they belonged to the class ! 

I felt myself placed in peculiarly trying circumstan- 
ces — dark clouds were fast gathering — the officers were 
evidently working against the prayer meeting, which had 
done so much good, but to go ahead, as long as I could 
move, trusting in God, I was determined. 

We met four or five times in the capacity of a class, 
and were then forbidden to meet any more, to the great 
grief of many ! I talked with the overseer, but he was 
unyielding. I asked for a reason — he replied, a I think 
there will no good result from it." " I know of no evil 
that has resulted,'' said I, " but much good. Has there 
been any improper conduct in any of the meetings V 
" None, but 1 think evil will grow out of it !" Not the 
first instance of evil could he point out, but meet we 
should not ! There seemed to be a settled determina- 
tion to oppose everything that had good in it. 

I went to judge Brown — he refused — though he had 
positively promised that we should have the meeting — 
that he would make all the prisoners attend, and would 
attend himself. He was turned like a weathercock, by 
McC, whither he would. All hope from this quarter 
failed. I went to the chaplain — he could do nothing. 
We went to the inspectors — they promised time and 
again, that it should be established. I rehearsed its his- 
tory to them — its rise, fall, and results — they saw no ob- 
jections, and said they would attend to it, but they never 
did anything. We carried the case to our Father, and he 
seemed to say, " Let it suffice thee — speak no more to 
me concerning this matter." We ceased, saying, " The 
will of the Lord be done." 

As numbers of the brethren were allowed to stay out 
of the cells on the Sabbath, I begged the privilege of 
having them come to our cell and pray with us. McC. 
and Judge B. both utterly refused. We could get to- 
gether in companies and talk — the most wicked men in 



OCCASIONAL PRAYER MEETINGS. 275 

the prison could laugh and talk together all day, and no 
fault was found ! but meet to pray, we should not ! 

As our cell was open on the Sabbath, we ventured to 
invite the brethren at all events — some were afraid, and 
others resolved to come, till they were obliged to stop — 
they came, and we had precious seasons together. The 
Lord richly blessed our souls. And from that time, we 
had occasional prayer meetings, just as we could get any 
of the brethren together long enough. Of some of these 
seasons, I shall hereafter speak. 



CHAPTER VI. 

CHARACTER OF THE CONVERSIONS— INCIDENTS. 

INTERESTING CASES. 

First. — Old J. D. was a colored man — for a misdemea- 
nor he came here, and served three years. He once was 
a slave, and bought himself and family. For himself 
he gave five hundred and fifty dollars — for his wife, four 
hundred and twenty ; for his daughter, four hundred, 
and for a child before it was born, thirty-five dollars ! 
Unborn children, bought and sold ! Was ever such a 
thing heard of in the most savage nation under heaven ? 
And yet in this gospel land, it is not an uncommon 
thing !* O ! shame, shame, on my country ! ! sla- 
very, where is thy blush 1 

J. D. was a remarkable old man — he could not read a 
word, but was a striking instance of the power of grace 
on the uneducated mind. He seemed taught by the 
Holy Spirit. His afflictions brought him to the Savior's 
feet. I could wish that those who say, " the niggers 

* A prisoner who had long been an overseer in the South, said, " It is 
a common thing South, to sell unborn children. They commonly bring 
one hundred, and frequently one hundred and fifty dollars." 



276 POWER OF GRACE ON AN UNEDUCATED MIND. 

have no souls," could only hear him talk and pray — 
surely their mouths would be stopped. No souls! 
What blasphemy ! His views of gospel truth, and 
Christian duty, in many respects, were very clear. He 
talked understanding^, and, when engaged, with 
great energy, eloquence, and application. He was 
always active and ready. From many of his sayings, 
take the following as specimens. 

On one occasion in the prayer meeting, he said, " God 
has so placed me that when I kneel down to pray, the 
devil runs away, for he don't like me, and thank God 
there's no great loss, for I don't like him. They may 
take me how, or when they please, Pm always ready, 
and have something to say about God and his goodness 
to me." 

What a reproof to many who can find nothing to say 
for Jesus, unless they are in a particular mood — who can 
talk about everything else but religion ! " Always 
ready !" What a lesson ! 

In the same meeting a young man professed to give 
his heart to God, before whom J. D. took his stand, 
and addressed him as a young soldier, at some length in 
a spirited, affecting manner, concerning the difficulties, 
doubts, dangers, &c, of the Christian life — much to the 
edification of all present. 

In another meeting, he said, " My heart has leaped 
for joy to-day. Trusting in God ! There is nothing 
like it in all the world. I thank God for sending me 
here. It has been the means of saving me from everlast- 
ing torments." 

After the prayer meeting was broken up, he came to 
our cell one Sabbath, and we sang and prayed together 
for some time. He arose before us to " tell us the state 
of his soul," and said, " It has now been a long time 
since we met here, but I feel the knot drawn tighter 
than ever, and my soul is anchored out in the cause of 
the Lord. I feel that God is good in sparing me. 
When I came here, I did not expect to live one year, 
but he has helped me to worry my time almost through. 
I hope and pray that He will spare me a little long°er, 



THE SPEECH —CONVERTS. 277 

that I may meet my little family, and tell them what he 
has done for my soul — to meet them, with Jesus in my 
sou!, and glory in my view. And oh! brethren, when 
I'm gone, I shall remember and pray for you. If we 
should meet no more on earth, we shall meet in heaven. 
I shall know you there as I do/iere, and there, there will 
be no more locking up. Glory to God ! Press on then, 
brethren, through every difficulty, that you may be re- 
warded. The prize is great, and soon the time will 
come when it will be given to us. And when I'm gone, 

I want you all to pray for old gray-headed J y, for 

though I am far away, when you kneel down, your 
'prayers will reach my heart. Sometimes when I reflect 
what God has done for me, my heart leaps for joy ; and 
I believe if the prayer meeting had continued until now, 
/ should have been able to move a mountain ! It was like 
going to a school to be instructed and strengthened. I 
sometimes get cold now, but what little I have they can't 
get from me." 

Notice his estimation of the prayer meeting. Many 
felt as he did. He left the prison, alive in religion, and 
spent most of the day going round the city, talking to 
the slaves and directing them to trust in God. 

He came into the prison again, and said to James, " I 
feel better than I did, the day I bought my head." He 
took and gave many lessons on abolition. He was wa- 
ter-drawer the most of his time, and talked with many 
slaves. 

Second. — H. B. was a father. In the prayer meetings, 
he often spoke of his family, while the tears would flow T 
freely, in view of his past unfaithfulness to his wife and 
children. And to hear him pray for them was affecting. 

On one occasion he said, " I would give ten thousand 
worlds, if I could only hear of the conversion of my 
children." The Lord heard him. In a few weeks news 
came of the conversion of two of his daughters, which 
filled him with great joy. He wept as he related the 
news, and blessed the Lord. 

At another time, his little son came to see him, with 
whom he conversed. Said he, " Tell your mother that 



278 A CHRISTIAN SPIRIT. 

I am spending here the happiest days of my life. I am 
contented. I should like very well to come home and 
instruct my children, but cannot just now." 

At another time, news came, that his son, about seven 
years old, had died. The spirit which he manifested 
was so perfectly Christian, so sweet, so submissive, and 
his conduct so exemplary, that we rejoiced in happy dis- 
appointment. He felt perfectly reconciled and satisfied 
with what his Father had done — felt that it was right, 
and all for the best — that God would take care of his 
child better than he could, " and I cheerfully give him 
back to Him, who gave him to me. The Lord gave, 
and the Lord hath taken away, and blessed be the name 
of the Lord." 

But his wife came a few days afterwards, and inform- 
ed him that the boy was alive, and had not even 
been sick. He received his son as Abraham did Isaac, 
" from the dead, in a figure." He felt that he was dead, 
and under this impression manifested his faith and de- 
light in God's will, and when his faith, as it were, was 
proved, as Abraham's, God gave him back his son, 
whom he was so willing to surrender at the call of the 
Giver. 

At two different times he was at work outside in the 
woods. The guard was his relative, and said to him, 
" Now B., if you wish to go home to your family, go, 
and I will not stop you. You can have my pistols and 
go." His family lived only about twelve miles distant, 
but religion made him unwilling to receive liberty in a 
dishonorable manner. He chose to trust in the Lord. 
Once, he, with a company of others, had determined on 
" liberty or death," but the plot was providentially dis- 
covered and broken up. See what a change the grace 
of God makes. His general deportment gave us great 
comfort in our affliction. At length a pardon came for 
him, and he went home, after retiring with us to our 
cell, to pray and commune together, probably for the 
last time. Anticipating his departure, I composed and 
gave him the following : 



RELEASE OF A PRISONER. 279 



ON THE RELEASE OF A PRISONER. 
I. 

Go, Fellow Pris'ner, here so long confined, 
By iron doors, and locks, and gloomy walls; 

Leave all thy tears and suff'rings now behind, 
And answer to thy little children's calls. 

II. 

Go find your darlings — wipe away their tears — 
Cheer up their hearts — their sorrows drive away — 

Bid them to banish all their former fears, 
And now rejoice to see the wished-for day. 

III. 
Go find that weeping, broken-hearted wife, 

Whom thou hast caused to mourn by evil ways, 
Go sweeten, now, her long-embittered life, 

And in God's fear together spend your days. 

IV. 
Go to your friends, whom you have made to weep, 

And who have followed you with many prayers ; 
Go wipe the tear from off that furrowed cheek, 

And lighten life's oppressive, anxious cares. 

V. 

Go, tell them all that you have seen and felt — 

The evil of your former wicked ways ; 
That Jesus' love your hardened heart did melt, 

And filled your soul with songs of grateful praise. 

VI. 

Go show the world by upright, holy acts, 
And godly conversation joined with all, 

That you henceforth will mark your Savior's tracks, 
Arrd do, in earnest on his name now call. 

VII. 
Go, Fellow Pris'ner, go be useful. Go, 

And be to man a blessing where you dwell : 
The end of sinful ways to sinners show, 

Which lead to prisons, gallows, and to hell 

VIII. 
Go serve Manasseh's God and your's till death, 
Nor e'er forget your lonely prison-cell ; 
" Remember those in bonds," with prayerful breath, 
And meet me finally in heaven. Farewell. 

He had spent many pleasant hours and Sabbaths with 



280 THE HAPPY PRISONERS UNDER AFFLICTION. 

us, and seemed as dear as an own brother. Our hearts 
were knit together like those of David and Jonathan. 

Third. — W. F. P. was a young man of feeble consti- 
tution, and of rather loose habits. He was converted 
soon after coming here, and lived so that the wicked 
were obliged to confess, " I believe that he is a Chris- 
tian." He was sick much of his time, and often thought 
he was near his end ; but was always composed, and 
willing to die or live, just as God saw best. How has 
my soul been refreshed, as I have conversed and prayed 
with him, in view of death! 0, he was so sweetly re- 
signed to his Father's will. The spirit that he exhibited, 
and the testimony he bore would amply reward us for 
all our sufferings, had we nothing more to comfort us. 

At one time he said, " I am better satisfied and more 
contented here, than ever I was outside. I praise God 
for his afflicting rod, and feel that my two years here 
will be the happy means of saving me from the prison- 
house from which none are pardoned." 

Again, I called on him, when he was very sick — con- 
versed and prayed with him. Found him in an excel- 
lent frame of mind. He said, " My pains are great, but 
I feel that God is my friend. He is good and does all 
things right, and knows best when to afflict. ' He does 
not afflict willingly,' nor will He afflict me more than I 
can bear. I am willing to lie and suffer as long as my 
Lord sees best. All is in love, and for my good. We 
should be thankful for afflictions as well as mercies, for 
all are blessings." He had doubt about getting well, 
but was not alarmed. He felt some anxiety about his 
old father and family ; but committed them to God, and 
felt that by prayer in prison, he could procure for them 
blessings and necessaries, which he could not when at 
liberty, a wicked man. I fed him with some of the 
promises, upon which his faith seized with eagerness, 
and I felt that it was well worth coming to a peniten- 
tiary, to enjoy such a privilege of comforting one of 
Christ's "little ones." 

He spent his last Sabbath in our cell, much to our 
satisfaction. 



INTERCESSION FOR ALANSON. 281 

Fourth. — C. S. was a Russian, from St. Petersburg. 
He gave us much comfort — was exceedingly interesting 
in prayer meetings or private conversation — full of life 
and zeal. He attributed his first serious impressions, to 
seeing us so frequently on our knees, and hearing us 
pray, when he carried around bread at night. He 
thought if we needed to pray, surely he vastly more. 
And to hear him talk and pray in his broken English, 
would do any one good. 

Reader, I have given you some specimens of our 
prison fruit. I might multiply cases, if my limits 
would permit, but these must suffice for the present. 

It was my habit when any who were friendly to us 
came in, to intercede with them to use their influence to 
restore Alanson to his family. As the inspectors were 
frequently in, I plead his cause before them. They 
listened, felt an interest in his case, and promised to 
speak to the Governor, and use their influence to get him 
ou t — but it was their opinion that when one went, we 
would all go. They always treated us with great re- 
spect and kindness. 

At one time, a Mr. C. w T as inside, to whom I said — 
" Tell the Governor that if he will let Alanson go, he 
may add his remaining time to the end of mine." But 
they would not admit of this kind of substitution. 

At another time, an honorable Judge came in, with 
whom I made myself somewhat free, and who seemed 
to feel for us, and had said to our friends that he believ- 
ed we were innocent. He was a man of extended in- 
fluence, and could help if he would. I asked, " cannot 
something be done for Work's release V " I do not 
know — Work is a first rate fellow." I said, " If there 
is an honest, conscientious man in the world, I believe 
that he is one." The Judge replied — " I have no doubt 
of it; I have no doubt of it." He also asked many 
questions respecting Alanson's family, and then went up 
stairs and talked with him. 

EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITY. 

He promised Alanson he would go and see the Gov- 



282 RESPONSIBILITY AND GIVING UP THE POINT. 

ernor in his behalf, but added, " I think no Governor 
will take the responsibility of turning you three out, 
without the co-operation of the Legislature." 

Responsibility ! Indeed ! If a thief, a whore-monger, 
a robber, a u man- stealer," or a murderer, is petitioned 
for by his friends, the Executive can very readily take 
the "responsibility" of turning them loose upon the 
community, without any fear of public censure, or risk 
of losing his popularity, or election to some higher seat 
of honor! And this fearful "responsibility," has 
often been taken without even the form of a petition ! 
But when asked to " open the prison doors" to those 
who are acknowledged to be honest, conscientious men, 
against whom they have " no imputation," who have a 
" good character," and are " first rate fellows," ! 
they cannot endure the " responsibility !" To pardon 
the whole list of criminals, is no responsibility ; but to 
release those who love and desire to benefit their fellow 
men, and whose lives are devoted to doing good, this is 
insupportable "responsibility!" For such persons, in 
Missouri, are execrated, and should the Executive turn 
them loose, a torrent of public disapprobation may be 
expected, which he cannot meet, since he " loves the 
praise of men more than the praise of God." What a 
notion of " responsibility !" But more : 

Gov. Marrhadiike came in, and had a number of the 
prisoners called before him — two or three murderers and 
Alanson were among the number. He said to Alanson, 
"I have received two letters from your wife, and an- 
swered one of them, informing her that I could not, con- 
sistently, let you go. I have also received a long 
argumentative letter on slavery from Mission Institute, 
signed by three individuals. I am glad to hear of your 
behavior here — though you are far from friends it has 
made friends of all who have had anything to do with 
the place, and it has also made friends outside ! If I 
consulted only my own feelings as a father, I would 
immediately turn you out, but I cannot consistently with 
my executive duties. The excitement, all over the 
country, is the greatest it ever has been, and I do not 



VITIATED PUBLIC SENTIMENT. 283 

think that I, or any other Executive would be sustained 
by public opinion, in letting you go. And further — 
should I let you go, it would have the appearance of 
giving up the point!" What point? Why their op- 
position to our principles. They hold us here, because 
we will not " give up the point" — and if they should 
let us go while we persist in our doctrines, it would 
have the appearance of giving up to us that we were 
right and they were wrong. But if we would only give 
up the point, they can let us go, and boast, " We've 
conquered them at last." 

I have not heard of their being troubled about the 
" appearance of giving up the point" to thieves and 
murderers* who have been pardoned out, and who de- 
clared, too, they would do the same thing again ! 

To act in accordance with the convictions of con- 
science, while the frown of a few ignorant, unreasona- 
ble, feeble men, is incurred, is great responsibility — but 
to do w T rong, and incur the displeasure of that just and 
Almighty Being, who holds their life and eternal destiny 
in his hands, is no responsibility ! What a vitiated pub- 
lic sentiment do such things bespeak ! Yet such is one 
of the natural consequences of slavery. 

Contrasted with such principles, how noble is the 
conduct of him, w T ho, with promptness and resolution, 
will do right, though the displeasure of the whole world 
should be incurred, or the sacrifice of his life be the con- 
sequence. The man who thus acts from a principle of 
duty to God and man, leaving consequences with the 
Lord, finds a rich reward in his own bosom, though 
outward sufferings and reproaches may be heaped upon 
him. 

We are thankful that we are not in prison as State 
felons — but we rejoice that w r e are " counted worthy to 
suffer shame," as abolitionists — as the friends of suffering 
humanity. We ask no higher honor in this world. 



* Gov. M., soon after this conversation with Alanson, pardoned out two 
murderers — one of whom wilfully shot his neighbor. 



284 ALANSON AND JAMES OUTSIDE. 

JAMES AND THE MISSOURI LAWYER. 

As James was reading his Bible, in the shoe-shop, a 
lawyer from Boone County came in, and asked, " What 
book is that 1 ?" " The Bible, sir." " Do all here have 
the Bible ?*' " Many are without any, but would be 
glad to .have one." " Is a Bible given to each one 
when he leaves here 1" " It is given to none, sir." " I 
think it would be an excellent plan, it might save them 
in the hour of temptation. What is your name'?" " My 
name is Burr, sir. 3 ' " Ah, that is just what I should ex- 
pect from the character I have heard of you outside, to 
find you w T ith your Bible. Hold on to it." " I expect 
so to do as long as I live !" " Yes, it is the only thing 
worth sticking to." 

Would to God that all lawyers could thus speak of 
the Bible. O ! what an overturning would there be in 
our courts of raoc/c-justice ! How much less fraud, ly- 
ing, and extortion would be practised by them ! And 
how many more would be willing to plead for the poor 
as well as the rich, and " open their mouths for the 
dumb," in the cause of humanity ! 

March 11. James returned to the cell — having been 
absent six and a half weeks. About this time, Captain 
Richmond was expecting to move away, and Alanson 
and James were permitted to go outside alone, at two 
different times, each, to converse with Mrs. R. Nothing 
prevented free conversation on any subject, and the 
topic of slavery and helping slaves, was discussed with 
kindness and good feeling. Mrs. R. had always been 
kind to us. 

About the middle of March, a citizen was in the shoe- 
shop, conversing w r ith the hands about petitions. He 
turned to James, and said, " Here is Burr, I will not 
sign a petition for him, because he will not give up his 
principles." 

EXTRACT OF A LETTER. 

I am happy to find again a few words from Alanson 



LETTERS. 285 

and James, that they may speak for themselves. They 
wrote in my letter — 

Dear Wife : 

I sympathize with you in your troubles, but can 
only relieve you by advice and prayer. I hope you 
will draw your consolation from the word of God. Af- 
fliction sanctified, is better than affliction removed. 
God's promises are exceeding large, especially to the 
widow and fatherless. Will not you and the children 
look out all you can find, and make them your own. 
Then you will rejoice in tribulation. I want you should 
be able, with a full heart, to testify to the faithfulness of 
God in supporting and carrying you in triumph through 
all your troubles. Be not troubled about me. I am 
well. Be faithful to the children. Tell them to be 
good, and then we shall meet in heaven, if not before. 

The Lord bless you, and keep you, and provide for 
you. Farewell, 

Alanson Work. 

from james, written with his left hand. 

Friends : 

Why do I not hear from you more often? I am 
sure if you were in prison, " enclosed in hewn stone," 
and could neither see nor hear of what was going on in 
the world — if you were obliged to see one thing all the 
time — and in addition, if you had a broken arm to cheer 
the gloom, you w r ould wish for some one, now and then, 
to comfort you with a word of consolation. You know 
but little of the worth of a letter in prison. I w T ant you 
all to do what you can for the salvation of souls. Do 
as the " Village Blacksmith" did — " set a trap, and bait 
it with faith and prayer." Do all the good you can. 

J. E. Burr. 

THE LEGISLATURE DOCTRINE LAW. 

April 4. One of the four legislators who came to our 
cell one Sabbath, mentioned in Part II, called to talk 
with me. He began, a I suppose you feel about as you 



286 CONVERSATION AND REFLECTIONS. 

did when I last talked with you." u I am not aware, 
sir, that any material change has taken place in my 
mind, and I do not think the people of this State, can, 
with reason, require us to give up our sentiments, before 
they will let us go." The absurdity was so plain, he 
had to acknowledge it, and said, " They do not, nor 
could they in any land of liberty." 

Reader, you have been shown time and again, that 
they do require this — that our principles, and they alone, 
sent us here and keep us here. " Give them up, and 
you may go," is the cry from every quarter. 

The man went on, u If you can promise neither to 
come to this State, nor aid others in coming to assist 
slaves, there will be no difficulty in getting your time 
shortened." " We have repeatedly told you we should 
not come to this State again, for that purpose." He had 
considerable to say about the law — that it was made by 
the people, and till repealed, should be observed — that 
the way to alter it, was to enlighten the people. Very 
good and true, but how are the people to be enlighten- 
ed'? They shut their eyes, and stop their ears, and 
make special laws to keep out the light from the State. 
They will neither hear nor read on the subject of Anti- 
slavery, and if any one dares to attempt to <c enlighten 
the people," he is mobbed, banished, or cast into prison. 
How shall we enlighten them? Will the slave-holding 
statesmen tell us how 1 

Again the man said, " For one man to disregard the 
law, is to set himself up against all the people, and tends 
to the subversion of all government." 

But what does all this amount to, so long as the law 
is against the Bible, and contrary to God's law 1 If 
the law is unrighteous, and tends to the subversion of 
the law of heaven, it must be opposed, though it should 
subvert every government on earth. There must be 
those who will cry aloud and refuse obedience, even 
unto death. When human and divine laws conflict, the 
latter are always to be regarded. " We ought to obey 
God rather than man," is the Christian's motto. 



THE PRISON DAUGHTER. 287 



FEMALE PRISONERS. 



In the early part of our time, a woman of vile charac- 
ter was sent here — staid two or three days and was 
pardoned. About a year afterwards another came, for 
killing her husband. Her sentence was five years — she 
staid nearly two, and was pardoned. 

She worked outside, at Capt. R.'s and Judge B.'s 
house. Mrs. B. abused her so shamefully, she ran away, 
but w T as brought back the next day and locked up in 
her cell, where she had but little to eat or drink, for 
some days. The horrid cruelty towards her, while 
thus locked up, so aroused the indignation of certain 
wicked prisoners, that there was strong talk of a " muti- 
ny," unless Judge B. altered his course. After about 
three weeks she was again taken outside, where she 
worked about four months — coming to her cell every 
night. In the fall she became the mother of a daughter. 
The doctor refused to be present at the time of her de- 
livery. Mrs. Brown w T ould neither come nor let any one 
else attend — the overseer told one of the prisoners to 
assist her — who did so, and he was the only one to wait 
upon her for some time. Mrs. B. refused to come near 
her, or to furnish any materials for the child's clothing 
— so that she remained in her cold cell, with her child, 
for nearly a week before anything was done. Nor was 
she allowed to have any fire during the cold winter 
weather — but suffered in her damp and chilly cell, till 
she was pardoned out ! The whole is a horrid, disgrace- 
ful affair, on all sides. But can anything better be ex- 
pected from slavery? 

The next woman was put in a cell and rivetted fast, 
having a stove, and everything brought to her by other 
prisoners, with whom she conversed much. A great 
many resorted to her cell to converse with her. Her 
conversation was very disgusting. She was sick much 
of the time, and often in the night have we been awa- 
kened by her groans and screams for help. . After a time 
the door was unfastened, and the guard could go there 



288 THE COLORED WOMAN. 

when they chose ! She staid about six months and was 
pardoned out. 

The next was a colored woman. She arrived here in 
the night, and was locked in a cell with three wicked 
vile men ! The next day she was arrayed in prison 
colors — half of her dress yellow, and the other half 
white. This was the first time that any female had been 
so clothed. The others wore their own clothes, which 
they brought with them. 

She was then placed in the wash-house, to work with 
two wicked men — if in her cell by day, it was unlocked, 
so that any prisoner could visit her, or any guard by 
night! Now why is she treated in this manner? 
" ! she is nothing but a nigger /" And what respect 
is paid to a " nigger^s" purity in a slave State? Many 
other things might be mentioned respecting the abomina- 
ble treatment of these women, but I must pass along. 

A PROHIBITION. 

So many of the prisoners who were trusted outside 
alone, had run away, that the inspectors prohibited the 
officers from sending any men out without a guard. But 
as James had been sick and was quite feeble, he asked 
one of the inspectors, if he could go out and breathe the 
fresh air for his health. The reply was, " I have no 
objection, and I presume the other inspectors will have 
none. We are not at all afraid of you. There is not 
the least imputation against you !" " No imputation !" 
and yet will not let us go ! 

At different times J.ames w T ent out and enjoyed the 
liberty of recreating himself as he chose, which greatly 
invigorated his system. 

Usually, in the morning, the guards w r ent around and 
unlocked the cells, not waiting to see w r hether the pri- 
soners came out. But McC. gave his order, that the 
guards, after they had gone round, and unlocked the 
doors, should go round again, and lock up every man 
who was not out of his cell. Then whoever was thus 
locked up, was taken to the guard room, to give an ac- 
count of himself. Generally, there were two bells — one 



A NEW ORDER. 289 

for rising — the other fifteen minutes after, for opening 
the cells, at which time, every man was ordered to be 
ready to come out, and proceed to his place of work. 
Frequently the guard would forget themselves, so that 
the two bells would ring almost immediately after each 
other — or there would be only one, which oflen deceived 
the prisoners, and they were unable to get out in time. 

Our morning devotions were often disturbed by the 
unlocking and slamming of doors, but pray we would, 
leaving consequences with God. Some of the guard 
would not mind anything about us, if we were in our 
cell, but others wished to show their authority, and im- 
portance. 

One morning, as I was on my knees, such an one came 
around, and saw me — stood a moment, went to the win- 
dow, and waited — then came back, as I was ready to go 
out, and said, " I'll lock you up every morning, if you do 
not come out sooner." I simply replied, " I am willing, 
sir." He reported me to the overseer, but he knew that 
I understood my own business, and said nothing about 
it. The guard, poor man ! Did he think he could 
frighten a Christian from prayer 1 We felt the need of it. 
It was our u w^al breath" Look at this, Reader. The 
poor prisoners are driven to work, from before they can 
see in the morning, till after they can see at night — hav- 
ing not more than half sufficient time to eat — and yet if 
one is found on his knees after the door is opened, 
fault is found because he is not at his work, whether he 
has anything to do or not ! This will give you an idea 
of the trials of the dear converts. Such circumstances 
teach us the value of secret retirement. Deprived of 
this, we could lift up our hearts, while at work. This, 
man could not prevent. 



About the first of May, a barrel came from our friends 
to Judge B. It was more than half full of crackers — of 
which we had not a taste. In the same, was nearly a 
half bushel of dried fruit, which was given to us — also 
a quantity of medicines, which we received — a bundle 

13 



290 RICH ELESSINGS. 

of letters, on which we feasted, and a valuable addition 
to our library, Memoir of Elias Cornelius, and Hannah 
Hobbie, Pike's Young Disciple, Pilgrim's Progress, 
Counsels to Young Men, Infidelity, Alleine's Alarm, 
Baxter's Call, Bouge's Evidences, and Missionary He- 
ralds. As we had many calls from prisoners, for books, 
we could now supply them more fully. We had long- 
felt the need of more religious books — for such was the 
general anxiety to read, they would read anything, how- 
ever plain and cutting it might be. A number of novels 
had also been furnished by Mrs. Brown, which were 
devoured with great eagerness. To counteract this in- 
fluence, we needed the truth, and God abundantly pro- 
vided it, from time* to time. Beside our books, we had 
a good supply of tracts, magazines, papers, &c. — so that 
our cell was a general resort, on Saturday nights, and 
Sabbath mornings, for something to read on the Sabbath, 
which gave us again the opportunity of speaking to them 
about their souls. In this way, " a great and effectual 
door" was opened for us to do good, for which we blessed 
the Lord. 

SEARCHING THE CELLS. 

It was customary, now and then, for the guards or 
overseer to go around, and search all the cells, to see 
what could be found, that was not allowed — if any were 
breaking out, &c. 

When guards who were acquainted with us, went 
around, they did not disturb our cell, and frequently, 
as they passed, or looked in at the door, the remark has 
been heard, lt There is no danger here" — " Everything 
is right enough here," &c. But sometimes new guards 
were sent around, who knew no better than to take every- 
thing as they went, making no distinction. At such 
times there was a great rumaging, and overturning in 
our cell. They found many things to look at — yet such 
was the general appearance of the cell, that the almost ir- 
resistible impression was, " There is no danger here" — 
for it has more the aspect of a student's room, than of a 
prisoner's cell. 



PROTECTED FROM THE DEVICES OF THE ENEMY. 291 

At one time, a very self-important guard came in, 
while James was unwell, and searched the cell. He 
took down my letter box, which before had not been dis- 
turbed — in which I kept my own letters, my journal, and 
various trinkets. He examined the letters, and looked 
at my journal, but the Lord blinded him, so that he 
did not know what it was. He exclaimed, " Why, 
what an extensive correspondence this fellow has !" He 
took some little articles, which the overseer and Jud^e 
B. restored to us. Thus the Lord was good to us. 

At another time, some Dutchmen went around. They 
turned everything up-side down, and took a number of 
things, which Judge B. gave back, as soon as we asked 
him. All my writings and papers, they passed by, not 
knowing that there was any harm in them. This work was 
then partly written, besides various other writings, any of 
which, if they had fallen into the hands of the officers, 
and been read, would have brought me into deep water, 
but the Lord blinded them on every occasion. " He 
disappointeth the devices of the crafty." 

As the overseer had been around examining the cells, 
I asked him, " Did you find anything amiss in my cell?" 
He replied, " It looks more like a store-room, than a 
prisoner's cell," and yet the Lord did not let him take 
away our " store" of goods. But at the last searching, 
we had a narrow escape — yet the " way of escape" was 
opened in due time, so that God, again disappointed 
them, and delivered his little ones, who cried unto Him. 

In the cell were a number of boxes — one large chest, 
in which James kept his papers, and our spare clothes — 
another filled with dried fruit — and another containing 
all my papers — journal, and writings of various kinds. 

The two former were left — the latter, with all its con- 
tents taken. 

They so arranged it, that no one could go to his cell, 
to get anything, and we could only lift our hearts to 
God for help, which was granted. As my box was on 
the way to the guard-room, I told the guard, who was 
standing near me, and who had always been very favor- 
able to us, that there were some things in it, I would 



29.2 FIFTH DEATH-BED SCENE. 

like to have — he stopped it, and I took out all my 
papers, and everything that was of any consequence. 
He looked at my journal, but made no objection. Had 
he not been present, I should not have dared to stop the 
box — it would have been examined, and myself proba- 
bly severely punished, and my time here much extended 
— but God has promised to defend those who trust in 
Him, and He did so. 



CHAPTER VII. 

DEATH— LETTERS— VARIOUS EVENTS. 

FIFTH DEATH-BED SCENE. 

About the first of May, a fellow-prisoner was taken 
down with consumption. At different times we were 
called on to sit up with him. James was with him one 
day and night, and asked his feelings in view of death. 
He replied, " I know I am not prepared to die. I know 
it — I know it, but my pains are now so great, that I have 
just as much as I can attend to, without thinking of 
that." 

I was with him one night, but did not talk much, as 
he seemed inclined to sleep most of the time. — -There 
were three others in the hospital. I read a portion of 
scripture, and prayed with them, and they retired. To- 
wards evening of the next day he sent for me. I went, 
and found him worse. I asked, 6i Are you in pain?" 
" I have no particular pain (of body), but I have an- 
other sort of misery, misery," referring to the distress 
of his mind, in view of his condition. He continued, 
" O, I have a heap I want to say to you, when I have 
opportunity." " Do you think much about your past 
life of sin, as you lie here 1" " O yes. Have I not, 
to-day, been dissolved in tears, in view of it 1" I urged 



CONVERSATION WITH THE DYING MAN. 293 

upon him the necessity of true repentance, and immedi- 
ate submission to God, while reason was continued — and 
placed before him the danger of delay — to which he as- 
sented. He felt that he should not get well, and wished 
me to send the minister to him, which I did, on the Sab- 
bath after preaching. — Poor man ! he had not only his 
pains, and feeble state of body and mind to contend 
with, but the sneers and " wickedness of the wicked," 
who made light of his seriousness, and tried to divert his 
mind. Alanson was with him one night, and conversed 
and prayed. The next night I was with him, but had 
not much conversation — spent the most of my time writ- 
ing some of the foregoing pages. 

A day or two after, he called for me in the morning. 
He was very glad to see me, and wushed me not to leave 
him. He wished me to sing, "Eden of love," which I 
did ; he said, " That is the most delightful song I ever 
heard." Then occurred the following. — " Do you feel 
prepared to die?" "No." "Do you feel the im- 
portance of it ?" " Certainly — certainly — but you 
see how low I am — so weak I can do nothing, I can- 
not help myself to anything." " Though you cannot 
walk, you can think, and speak to God in your heart." 
" O, I do think, day and night." " Do you feel that you 
have been a great sinner?" " I know it — but not so bad 
as some — I am better than many." " Do you think 
your good works will do you any good, or be of any 
avail before God?" "No, they will not." "Your 
good works are but c filthy rags.' You must come to 
God as a guilty sinner, as a rebel, as a beggar of mercy, 
for Jesus' sake, and cast yourself wholly upon Him. 
Do you think God is willing to forgive you ?" " I ex- 
pect so ; why not me, as well as others ?" " He will, if 
you come as he has directed." " I am willing to come 
so." " Are you willing to confess your sins?" "Yes?" 
" Do you ?" " I do ; but what is repentance ?" " It is 
true sorrow for all sin ; and putting it aw T ay. Now 
should you get well — go forth into the world — have 
plenty of money, and the prospect of living many years, 
would you not love sin as much as ever?" " No, 1 



294 THE DYING MAN MURDERED. 

would do right." " God has been very kind to you al, 
your life. 55 " Yes, He has." " But have you ever done 
anything for Him?" " No, I have done nothing, and 
now I am so weak, what can I do V lC You can repent, 
and give your heart to God. If you now fix your affec- 
tions upon Him, and strive to please Him in }*our mind, 
it will be as acceptable, as the actions of those who are 
well. You can now sin in your heart, as well as others 
in their actions. And you may soon die, therefore it is 
the more important that you now secure the salvation of 
your soul, and make Jesus your Friend." " Is He not 
my Friend V 9 " I do not know. He is if you love, and 
try to please Him." " If I get well, I will never do 
wrong again." 

On the evening of the next day, a wicked man called 
to see him, and in a light manner remarked, " 0, you 
will be about again in a few days, and walking around — 
won't you V 9 It was with difficulty the sick man could 
speak, but he exclaimed with emphasis, " Go away — I 
am dying, go away, go away. Don't you see death 
hovering around me ?" He felt that he was near the 
grave, and did not wish such persons near him. As he 
looked up and saw me, he asked, " Is that you, Mr. 
Thompson V 9 " Yes, how do you feel?" He could 
but faintly utter, "About as usual." The next morn- 
ing I called to see him, but he was beyond conversation, 
or perception, and soon breathed his last. 

He said, one night, to the man who was watching with 
him, " I am murdered. If I had been brought here (the 
hospital), three days before I was brought, and when I 
wanted to come, my life might have been saved — but in- 
stead of that, they made me work when I was not able, 
and now I must die ?" And he is not the only case. I 
shall have occasion to mention others. He was buried 
— I was going to say " with the burial of an ass," but 
truly there is more solemnity at the burial of many a 
dumb brute, than there was in this case. 

While he was yet in the hospital, some were swearing 
— others talking and laughing about him, as if nothing 
had happened. Such carelessness and indifference as 



NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME. 295 

was manifested around this dying and dead man, was 
most shocking — and bespoke a depravity of the human 
heart, not to be expected among savages, and probably 
to be found only with gospel-hardened sinners. How 
i ust the complaint of God, " Seeing many things, but 
thou observest not ;" — " my people doth not consider." 

REFLECTION. 

How uniform and united is the testimony, that " a 
sick bed is a poor place to prepare to die." And yet 
how many are acting the same foolish part, and sur- 
rounded by such a " cloud of witnesses," are " putting 
far off the evil day." 

Reader, our death-bed may be attended by such 
burning fever, racking pains, and distraction of thought 
and mind, as will utterly disqualify us for thinking up- 
on our latter end — for arranging our business, for medi- 
tation and prayer — for warning sinners, or inciting 
saints to duty. Then let us think of death, judgment, 
and eternity now — arrange now, and so keep arranged, 
all our business, that it will not require our thoughts 
upon a dying bed. Let us do our duty to our own souls, 
to saints and sinners, now — prepare now to meet God, 
and henceforth, live in a continual state of preparation 
to depart suddenly, or by a lingering disease, or in any 
way, time, or place God shall choose. 

extract of a letter. 

Beloved Parents and Friends : 

"Ebenezer," — God is faithful. Though the 
earth be in motion, and rock from centre to circumier- 
ence — though the nations are moved and agitated, while 
war is raging, and " rumors of wars" continually fall 
upon our ears, yet a simple trust in God, will preserve 
us from all anxiety and apprehension of evil — from all 
that would disturb the sweet repose of the soul in Him. 

Beloved, it is unbelief— a. secret unwillingness that 
God should rule and govern as He pleases, that causes 
all the disquietude, fretting, murmuring, discontent, and 
sorrow, which is so common among professing Chris- 



296 THE GREAT WORK. 

tians, when things do not go just as they had desired or 
planned. And this unbelief is very offensive to our 
kind Father. It evinces a very bad, unsubdued spirit, 
entirely unbecoming obedient and submissive children. 

God has promised to give this world to his Son ; but 
a great work is yet to be done before it can be brought 
into subjection to his holy will. Mankind are in a state 
of alienation from Him — degraded, depraved, and sun- 
ken in ignorance and vice — yet this work is to be 
done, and that speedily. And all opposition to the 
onward march of His kingdom, and the victories of His 
cross, will be as vain as they are unreasonable. The 
wicked may scoff — infidelity may spread itself abroad, 
and fill our land with its deadly poison — Catholicism, 
with all its absurdities and blasphemies, may sweep over 
our fair heritage like a deluge — and Satan with his com- 
bined legions may rage, and bring into exercise all his 
crafty devices — but all in vain. ImmanuePs victorious 
chariot, shall roll on — " the stone cut out of the moun- 
tain without hands," shall " increase, and fill the whole 
earth" — the " little leaven" shall work, " till the whole 
is leavened." This revolted empire shall be complete- 
ly subjugated ; and to Jesus " every knee shall bow," 
and all nations, tribes, and tongues own Him their Lord 
and King. But in what way is this glorious triumph to 
be brought about 1 By Christians being a co-workers 
with God" " laborers together with Him" and co-operat- 
ing with the Holy Ghost. 

The day has come when every one who bears the 
Christian name, must make this work the great object 
and business of their lives, or give up all hope of being 
friends of the Prince, who calls upon all his followers 
to fly to his assistance, and lay down their lives, if need 
be, for his cause. O, who can — who dare sleep, in 
such a day as this ? 

George. 

the beaten horse. 

Judge B. had often beaten, very cruelly, a poor horse 
which was somewhat balky. As he was thus beating 



CRUELTY LIBERTY. 297 

the poor beast one morning with a hoop-pole, he was 
kicked in the face, disfigured and seriously bruised, es- 
caping narrowly with his life. The doctor was speedily 
called, who washed and sewed up the wound. " A 
merciful man is merciful to his beast," and cruelty to 
dumb brutes, is not overlooked, nor suffered to pass un- 
punished by Him, whose are " the cattle upon a thou- 
sand hills." Then how should they tremble, who can 
treat human beings, stamped with the image of God, 
worse than they treat their brutes — who inflict wounds, 
and stripes upon a fellow, " which mercy with a bleed- 
ing heart, weeps, when she sees inflicted on a beast." 
" Blessed are the merciful !" 

THE SLAVE AND LIBERTY. 

A slave was in on business, with whom James con- 
versed. He expected to be free in the Spring, by means 
of his master's will. He said, " in the time of the war, 
all were for liberty. Every ball that was shot was for 
liberty ; and I am for liberty too." The very thought 
seemed to give him new life and animation. 

0, liberty., sweet liberty ! thou gift of heaven, and 
dearest boon of man, on earth, for which our fathers 
bled and died, how art thou now by thy children, denied 
to three millions of our brethren, in this our boasted 
land of liberty. How art thou abused ! How little val- 
ued, and how little understood ! O, long desired day, 
hasten thy approach, when the inestimable blessings of 
" liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," shall be enjoy- 
ed, open, and free alike to all. 

THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

On the ninth of June, a Cantpbellite preacher " held 
forth" before us. He was brought by the overseer, who 
favors that religion, because he can have it and hold on 
to his wickedness. The preacher was gifted, and said 
many good things, but he spoke too lightly of the influ- 
ence of the Blessed Spirit ; and it is to be feared that 
they who can speak lightly of that, but too plainly evince 
their ignorance and need of his heavenly efficacy. 

13* 



298 THE OFFICE OF THE SPIRIT. 

Take away the Holy Spirit, and what can we do? We 
cannot know Jesus, for the " Spirit takes of Him, and 
shows unto us." We cannot understand the Scriptures^ 
for the Spirit is our " Teacher." We cannot see the 
guilt and depravity of our own hearts and lives, for the 
Spirit " convinces of sin." We cannot pray, for the 
Spirit is our " Helper." We cannot find happiness, for 
the Spirit is our " Comforter." We can know nothing 
of the joys of Heaven, nor have any view of the things 
unseen and eternal, for they are " revealed unto us by 
the Spirit." We shall never love and obey God, shall 
neither speak, will, nor do good, for it is the Spirit that 
inclines, persuades, and draws us — speaks and works in 
us " to will and to do." " It is not by might nor by 
power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." " Uphold 
me by thy free Spirit." " Thy Spirit is good — lead me 
into the land of uprightness." " Grieve not the Holy 
Spirit," but « Be filled with the Spirit." 

THE SLAVE AND HIS CRIME. 

June 13. A slave was brought here in chains, hand- 
cuffed and barefoot. What was his crime ? Why he 
had been torn away from his wife, whom he dearly 
loved, and went one hundred miles to see her ! And 
for this was he brought here, with a special charge to our 
tyrant, " Work him hard, feed him lightly, and flog him 
for every offence," all which was eagerly fulfilled. 

It was McC.'s custom to give those who did their task, 
a piece of meat at night. The slave did more than his 
task, and came among the rest for meat. McC. addres- 
sed him, " What do you want, nigger V* " Some meat, 
sir." "You can't have any, there's none for you." 
" Why, he has done more than his task," said one. 
" That's nothing. I'll make him do that, and feed him 
twice a-day." O, cruel slavery ! 

He was also flogged very severely for nothing, except 
that he was a poor slave. After three months he was 
probably sent South, for an infamous dealer in human 
flesh was around here buying up all he could, to take to 
the low countries. 



PAST FEELING. 299 

With what fear and agitation, must the bosoms of the 
poor slaves be convulsed, when a " trader" is in the 
neighborhood ! Christians, and ye husbands who love 
your wives, look at this case. Think of it, and remem- 
ber there are at this moment thousands, whose wives and 
children are as dear to them as yours are to you, from 
whom they are rudely sundered, and sold to distant 
climes, to meet them no more on earth ! Have you the 
heart of a Christian 1 Then let it ascend to God in their 
behalf. Have you a mouth and tongue 1 Then cry 
aloud against such abominations, and " open your mouth 
for the dumb." Have you the common feelings of hu- 
manity'? Then awake and exert your every power for 
humanity, bleeding at every pore. 



June 19. A man seventy-three years old, was brought 
here, for ten years, charged with Lev. xx. 15 ! Aston- 
ishing, if true. The old man could do nothing, and the 
officers interceded for him, so that he w T as pardoned in a 
*ew weeks. Why 1 Not because he was not guilty, 
but because he could do nothing for the profit of the offi- 
cers. This has been the case in a number of instances. 

But look here. Slaveholders will send a man to the 
penitentiary for ten years, for the crime referred to* 
while for fornication and adultery, if perchance the 
female be a slave, no notice is taken of it ; but high and 
low, black and white, bond and free, may thus indulge 
with impunity. O, Slavery ! where is thy blush 1 Alas ! 
thou art one of those " who being past feeling, have 
given themselves over to work all uncleanness with 
greediness I" 

OUR " REFORMER." 

As a crazy man was reading aloud the tract, " We are 
all here," at the same time attending faithfully to his 
business, Col. Price came along, and forbid his reading, 
took the tract, and tore it in pieces on the spot, before 
our eyes ! How similar is this to one of Israel's kings, 
who cut the Book of the Law in pieces, and threw it into 



300 THE LITTLE CLOUD. 



the fire ! He also once forbid me to read, when I had 
nothing to do at the time. Again, he refused to give me 
a letter, because it had a few words in it about the abuse 
ot a servant girl ; and there is no doubt that he destroy- 
ed a bundle of our letters, which we had written with 
the permission of other officers, to send by a friend 
A prisoner wrote a letter to the inspectors, which every 
prisoner has a right to do by law. Col. P. threw it into 
the hre, before his eyes ! 

Many other such things I might mention, respecting 
Col. P. but will speak of only one more : he is an unt 
reasonable, oppressive, fiery tippler. 

Such is one of the men placed over criminals to re- 
form them— such the inveterate hatred to all good, of 
°"n t u 0U ^ e u d mana g ers ? " A place of reformation !" 
On the 27th ol June, a small cloud of promise arose, 
which raised our hopes a little, that God was about to 
do something for this place. The chaplain was deputed 
by the inspectors, to ascertain how many Bibles there 
were in the prison, and report to them. He went into 
every cell, leaving tracts and searching for Bibles, and 
found forty ! Here are eighty cells, and about one 'hun- 
dred and seventy prisoners, and forty Bibles among them 

ftJL n T7 ° f "V^ theFe 3re tW °> and * *ome 
three, so that more than three-fourths of the prisoners 

were without any Bible, and many without a book of 
any kind except as Satan sent them a novel, or as they 
fo/rBihl fr0m , ! h 7- ^e had numerous application! 
Z i w' a " d had t0 lend our own t0 supply the de- 
mand. We were rejoiced to see that the inspectors 

lv snokenToT "T this . Sub J^ ' <°' we had fre'uent- 
for Bmles B *"?' \° T??* a " d le g is]a tors, pleading 
lor Bibles. But look at this case. The law "provides 
that every prisoner shall have a Bible. See theneglect 

£ mouth of S P ' aCe f r ^r tion -" This te ™ i» 
the mouth of Satan, and applied to this place is full 

"o b m ad an a nf7 f0r r d ° eS ' mos ' l >' ref °™ »»en f « good 
to bad, and irom bad to worse ! But as the term is used 
by Christians, to apply it thus to this place, is a mocker- 
el language and an insult to common 'sense « S 



MEN MADE WOItSl;. " 301 

not many been truly reformed here V 9 Yes, but no 
thanks to our wicked " reformers," for the greater part 
of the reformation. True, for a while they granted us 
the privilege of having prayer meetings, for which we 
and thousands of others will thank them eternally — for 
souls were saved thereby — but a great part of the reli- 
gious reformation has been carried on, notwithstanding 
all their hatred and opposition to the work, at the risk, 
many times, of bringing down upon us their displeasure 
and their fury. Take out the few Christian prisoners, 
and then the only influence and tendency of the whole 
system, under its present officers and regulations, is to 
damn the prisoner ; to harden and destroy the officers ; 
to curse the community, the state, and the world. Many 
come here, who either know nothing about crime, or they 
are mere children in such knowledge. After studying a 
few years under such willing and experienced teachers 
as are the officers and many of the prisoners, they 
become perfect adepts in the business. The old and 
learned become chafed and exasperated, till they are 
prepared for more daring deeds ; the weak become 
strong, and the strong become stronger in wickedness 
and vice ; and all, with a few exceptions, are made ten- 
fold more the children of hell than before ! " A place 
of reformation !" 

THE FOURTH OF JULY. 

All hands were allowed to quit work about three 
hours before night, and keep some of the fourth — of 
which day, the most of the prisoners thought much, as a 
day of gambling, drinking, feasting, and carousing. 

An extra supper was prepared, consisting of wheat 
four biscuit, unleavened, fresh pork, and coffee ! After 
supper, the prisoners stood in groups, talking as much 
as they chose, no officer making objections, except in 
one case. As I stood conversing with a colored man, 
a guard looked at him and called out, " See here, come 
away from there." Had he been talking with any ex- 
cept one of us, there would have been no objection. 



302 THE CONDITION OF DISCIPLKSHIP. 

But he celled with a slave, and was talking to an aboli- 
tionist. They dislike to have us communicate with the 
slave in any way — but, thank God, we did place " the 
salt" before them by proxy, though we could not always 
speak to them ourselves. 

For a few days in the beginning of July, I was sick, 
and quit work. While thus sick, a letter was given to 
me, bringing the joyful news that my oldest brother was 
preaching — for which I had long been praying — and that 
my youngest, with his wife, had devoted himself to pre- 
paration for the missionary work. Language failed to 
express my feelings. An extract from the answer is all 
I can give. 

THE EXTRACT. 

" I almost feel to say with old Simeon, c Lord, now let- 
test thou thy servant depart in peace,' for thou hast heard 
my prayers. I can cheerfully spend my life in seclusion 
and toil, or with a willing heart, depart from every earth- 
ly field of labor, since you have arisen to fill my place. 
You have now a thousand times repaid me for all my 
anxiety respecting you. Labor to get enlarged views 
of the Gospel, and of the work before you. Remember, 
i The field is the world,' and not some little c garden 
spot,' here at home, where they have rejected the gospel 
a thousand times. The great portion of the field is yet 
uncultivated, covered with thorns and nettles, having 
never yet heard the 'joyful sound:' and in unbroken 
crowds, the inhabitants are sinking to rise no more. The 
gospel would have saved them if carried to them. Chris- 
tians might have done it, they neglected it, and millions 
are lost for ever ! Where is the guilt? 

" From every land, they now cry, c Come over and help 
us.' If they receive the gospel, they may be saved. 
Christians can, and should, give it to ' every creature.' 
If they refuse, may the Lord deliver me from their ac- 
count. Do you not say, c Here am I, send me V A 
hearty missionary spirit, is the only true spirit of Chris- 
tianity. It is this that constitutes the very condition of 
discipleship. ' Whosoever he be that forsaketh not all 



JOY IN DEATH. 



303 



that he hath, cannot be' — a deacon 1 a minister ? a mis- 
sionary ? No, no, but < he cannot be my disciple.'' Let 
this spirit fill your soul. Let the gospel be given to the 
present generation of heathen, or they will perish, and 
rise up in the judgment to condemn all who could and 
who were urged to go, but ' would not.' ! look 
forward to the judgment. Will you there have thou- 
sands curse, or bless you? I pity those who can satisfy 
themselves with excuses, when millions are crying, when 
all nations are stretching their hands for the ' bread of life.' 
Truly the work is great and responsible, but our suffi- 
ciency is of God." Though I am c shut up, and cannot 
go forth,' I do rejoice to hear of others entering the field. 
Though we are weak, blind, and ignorant — our foes nu- 
merous and strong, and obstacles fill our path — yet glory 
to God ! We hear, < My grace is sufficient for thee.' 

" George." 

As a few of James' letters have fallen into my hands, 
I delight to extract from them, that he may speak for 
himself. The first should have been introduced previ- 
ously to his breaking his arm, but it will be interesting 
here. 

first extract. 

Dear Brother : 

" God is love." He desires our greatest happi- 
ness more than we or all the bowels of humanity con- 
centrated could desire it ; and his Omnipotence will 
surely bestow on his children everything that wall be a 
real good, in time or eternity. 

When my sickness was most alarming, I had a bright 
foretaste of heaven, and longed to take my departure, 
to unite with the bright throng before the throne. 

My soul was filled with rapture at the thought of 
meeting good old Abraham, the prophets, apostles, and 
all the martyrs, who have u come up out of great tribula- 
tion." Nor do I now feel anxious to tarry long on this 
earth. I am only a pilgrim and a stranger, as all my 
fathers were. I long to join the happy company above. 
God has shown me the vanity of all terrestrial objects 



304 LETTER FROM JAMES. 

— that " this world is poor from shore to shore,'' and has 
nothing that is worth one hour's toil, compared with the 
joys of heaven. I would like to leave this world for 
some fairer clime, and I know of no place short of hea- 
ven, worth stopping at. 

second extract. 

Dear Brother: 

I am obliged to write with my left hand, as my 
right arm is broken. For the last four months, my 
health has been better than at any previous time since I 
came here. God has " stayed his rough wind, in the 
day of his East wind" — for my former poor health and 
a broken arm in addition, would have been both winds 
together. The Lord knows what we can bear. You see 
I have been called to "sing of mercy and of judgment." 

God is ten thousand times better to me than all my 
earthly friends. Notwithstanding all my unworthiness, 
He has gone before me in all my troubles, and has been 
a " sun and shield" to me. He has not forgotten his 
" exceeding great and precious promises. '"* He stands 
pledged that not a hair of our head shall perish ; yet it 
depends on our staying where He commands us. If 
we forsake Him, as did the children of Israel, we must 
expect the rod. But w 7 hat a privilege ! that He who 
cannot err is as willing, as He is able, to lead us ! 
To Him I will repair. He " doeth all things well." 

J. E. B. 

THE INCENDIARY LETTER. 

She who is now my wife once wrote me a letter on an 
anti-slavery sheet of paper, having stamped on it a col- 
ored woman in chains, on her knees, crying " Am not 1 
a woman and a sister?" It created considerable talk 
and stir, for slaveholders cannot endure to see in picture 
what they see every day in real life — they are very sen- 
sitive. However, they reluctantly gave me the letter. 

At another time (the first of July), she wrote, giving 
an account of her journey to the Indians and their hab- 
its, and her return home. Among other things, was a 



THE INCENDIARY LETTER. 305 

story of a certain servant girl, who was very much 
abused, whipped, punished, and scratched by her mis- 
tress, till the blood trickled down her face. It was not 
stated that the servant was a slave,* or that she was 
even colored ; but Col. Price, who was familiar with 
such scenes, supposed of course she must be a slave, 
and would not give me the letter. I ascertained from a 
friend that the letter had come and was withheld. I 
mentioned the case to the Chaplain, which greatly in- 
censed McC. and Col. P. against me. I spoke to Col. 
P., he declared he would not give it to me. I spoke to 
Judge B. again and again, till he procured the letter and 
brought it to our cell, saying, " Read it, and hand 
it to me." Had the letter fallen into his hands in 
the first place, there would have been no difficulty ; but 
since his partners had refused, he gave it to us secretly, 
lest they should turn against him. 

Said Col. Price, " You have been corresponding too 
freely, and it must be stopped." Judge B. — "The 
Governor, inspectors and officers have agreed that no 
prisoner shall be allowed to write or receive letters re- 
specting any means for their liberation ; but I have and 
shall allow you three to write freely to your friends on 
that subject ; and shall give you every chance to help 
yourselves, in that way, that I can." 

The day after we heard of the letter, one of their 
horses dropped dead. In two days another was found 
dead — and they soon gave up the letter. 

MY DEPOSITION. 

While they were thus excited about the letter, I was 
suddenly taken from the weaver's shop, and placed in 
the cooper's shop, where I would have none but myself 
to watch, and also could learn a new trade. But the 
next week they were obliged to send for me, to fill my 
old place — which I did for a few days, and then went to 
weaving. 

All the reason they pretended to offer for removing 

* I have since learned that she was a slave — and the inhuman mis- 
tress was the wife of an officer of government, among the Indians. 



8 EXTRACT OF A TETTER. 

me from the foremansbip, was, *<You are too easy with 
the hands — too tender-hearted — too desirous of keeping 
peace with them all. The hands are not afraid of you." 
And who would not wish to keep peace, and to have 
his workmen do their duty from love, and not from a 
slavish fear? If I had caused three or four of my 
hands to be whipped every day, I should have been a 
first rate foreman ! But because I would not exercise 
the spirit of a slave-holding tyrant, they are displeased 
— this is proven by many facts. 

But more. Another very obvious reason was, because 

1 would not break the Sabbath, honor their dignity, and 
sacrifice all principle to please them, as did the other 
foreman. 

Judge B. had nothing against me. He remained calm 
and kind, and took my part against the other officers. 

Col. P. did not speak a word to me for more than a year 
after that time, so that I had no further difficulty with him. 

ANSWER TO THE TROUBLESOME LETTER EXTRACT. 

" Where have Christians shone brightest, and exhibit- 
ed to the world the excellence, and power of religion 
in its greatest brilliancy'? Surrounded by comforts, 
luxuries, friends, and everything that heart could wish 
— temporal and spiritual ? Go to the prison — the dun- 
geon — the stocks ! Hear the persecuted saints sing, and 
pray, and shout, supported and comforted by a hand un- 
seen — a power divine. Go to the rack. Seethe astonished 
multitude look on and wonder ! The bones are crack- 
ing, the sinews snapping, but songs of praise and prayer 
for enemies, mingle and ascend to God ! See them at the 
stake, amid circling flames, blessing their persecutors, and 
shouting in prospect of eternal blessedness. Witness 
Daniel in the den — the three children in the furnace 
— Joseph in the prison, and a host of others. In them 
religion shone forth, with charming lustre. O ! give me 
such a religion ! What gave to the world some of Bun- 
yan's rich works? A prison. What taught Baxter the 
sweetness of "The Saints' Rest?" A prison — long 
and severe afflictions. What gave " Dodd's Prison 



BENEFIT OF AFFLICTION. 307 

Thoughts" to the afflicted'? A prison. What Memoirs 
are most spiritual, and exhibit most of the gospel I 
Those which give the history of suffering saints. Wit- 
ness Payson, Page, H. Hobbie, and many others. What 
says the humble Christian of every age ? " My most 
afflictive days have been my best days." Think of Job. 
Read the eleventh of Hebrews. What would the " af- 
flicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted," do, 
without these rich examples of patience, submission, joy, 
and faith ? 

W T hat drew forth the overflowing, never-failing foun- 
tains of comfort, joy, and peace, in a multitude of the 
Psalms, to suffering saints \ Sore afflictions. 

Let us not then be afraid to meet any trial that our 
Father places before us. He will be with us. " My 
grace is sufficient for thee." George. 

inspectors' second examination. 

They heard many sad tales. Some had been unjustly 
punished — some shamefully neglected and left to suffer 
when sick — others complained of their food — others, of 
oppressive tasks, &c. 

The inspectors promised to rectify these things, but 
that was the last of it. They generally talked much, 
and did little. 

When I was called before them, the officers were 
very uneasy and greatly agitated. They stood before 
the door, went away, returned, looked in, talked, and 
squirmed as if they were on nettles. They thought I 
was exposing their abominations — and so I was, and 
they could not help themselves. Many things were 
laid before them. I gave them a history of the rise, 
effects, and fall of the prayer meeting— spoke of the 
need of, and general desire for one, &c. I added, " It 
seems to be McChesney's object to break up every 
thing like religion here." They all agreed there could 
be no harm in having a prayer meeting, and promised to 
make arrangements. They said to James, u We mean 
to do all we can to bring things right here, and to have 
a prayer meeting"." 



308 THINGS GROW WORSE. 

They told Alanson, and some of the converts, that 
they could see no possible objection to it, and gave great 
encouragement that it should be re-established — but that 
was the last we heard about it ! We informed them of the 
Sabbath breaking, by officers and prisoners — but things 
only grew worse. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

SICKNESS— LETTERS— SLAVES. 

FALSE NAMES. 

It is quite a common thing, for prisoners to come here 
under a false name — thinking thereby to keep their 
friends from knowing that they have been in the peni- 
tentiary — that they may go out into the world again, 
and not be known as a " convict." In the time of the 
prayer meetings, I told them that all such were living 
lies, and they must give up their false names, and be 
honest, or they could not be Christians. One of this 
class professed to be converted. We told him he must 
take his right name — and he was just ready to do it, 
when he asked the chaplain about it, who told him there 
was no harm in it, and we could do no more with him. 

Others gave their right names, and were willing the 
world should know their characters — " converted con- 
victs !" 

After we were forbidden to meet together, a number 
of the brethren were in the habit of coming to our cell, 
on the Sabbath, to sing and pray. At one time, an old 
man, who had belonged to the Old School Presbyterians, 
in Ireland, and in Phdadelphia, was present, and confes- 
sed he was here under a false name. " I have been 
much troubled about it. It was foolish and wicked in 
me to do so. It is a transgression, for which I must 



notk. 309 

humble myself before God." He confessed his true 



We were now so hurried with work, that we had but 
little opportunity to look after the lambs. Take the fol- 
lowing for a specimen. A brother, who slept under the 
same roof with ourselves, was very sick for four days, 
before we knew anything about it ! Other prisoners 
have died before we heard they were sick. 

A NOTE OF THANKS. 

I have mentioned that many prisoners read our books. 
The following note will show with what feeling they 
were received by wicked men. It was written by one 
who had read the most of our library. He was a great 
thief, yet a great reader — an Englishman. Just before 
he left he wrote : 

Sunday, July 28, 1844. 
To G. Thompson : 

Please to accept my thanks, for the many favors 
you have bestowed on me, in allowing me the use of 
your books, from time to time. I wish it was in my 
power to make you some compensation beside that of 
empty thanks. You have my best wishes. While you 
walk in the flowery paths of religion, you have nothing 
to fear ; for the God whom you worship, is the same that 
delivered Daniel out of the lions' den. I should be very 
glad to see you, and your companions, at liberty. " Let 
me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end 
be like his." G. L. 

How many Christians are often dejected, and fearful, 
in times of trial ! Says an enemy, " You have nothing to 
fear." Christians, cheer up. 

The same person read " Christian Perfection," and 
wrote on a blank leaf, " I have read this book, not with 
any prejudice against the doctrine it contains, nor have 
I read it with indifference, but still there is a something 
— a longing disposition to hang on for the pleasures of 
the world." The judgment is convinced — the will 
rebels. 



.310 TASKS. 



TASKS. 



For about two years after we came, there was no task 
work, — except in the brick yard, where they were regu- 
lated by brickmakers' rules. When task work began, 
they were quite moderate. By rewards, and promises, 
prisoners were encouraged to do overwork, and when 
they had shown that they could do it easily, the task was 
raised. Take the case of the weaver's shop. At first, 
the task was thirty-five yards (bagging) a-day. It was 
a long time before they could get any one to do this. 
They coaxed, and threatened, and hired, till one did it 
— then all must do it. Next, forty-four yards, by hiring, 
was done. This was one piece. The task was then 
six pieces a week, and a reward offered for seven pieces. 
"When that was done, it was given as a task — do it, or be 
punished — and a reward offered for eight. And so on 
to twelve pieces — Judge B. and McC. solemnly giving 
their word, from time to time, that they would not go 
any higher. But word, honor, and every principle of 
honesty, propriety, or decency, was sacrificed to feed the 
avaricious desire ! 

The weavers, trusting their veracity from time to time, 
continued to do overwork, till the task was raised from 
thirty-five to one hundred yards a day, which the most 
could do before night. I could do my task and have 
Saturday to myself, for reading and writing this book. 
And after I left the shop, they continued their improve- 
ments, till some would weave their six hundred yards 
by Wednesday and Thursday night. 

This is only a specimen of the rope walk, the factory, 
the hackle house, the cooper's shop, &c. A few who 
were strong, and accustomed to the business, would do a 
great day's work — then that is the task, and all must do 
it or be punished — and many poor weakly men have 
been often punished because they could not do more 
than they could — or as much as some others. Thus 
while some can " play" at their business, others are 
worked far beyond their strength. Some facts would 
not be believed, and 1 will not tell them. 



HARD TREATMENT <- F THE SICK. 



311 



THE SICK, THIS SEASON. 

Many were taken down with fever and ngue, and 
other complaints. As many as forty were on the sick 
list at once, and O ! what a miserable spectacle did they 
present! Many were driven to work till they could go 
no longer. Then they must go before a doctor, who has 
not so much feeling for them as for a brute — who will 
order them to their work, when they need their bed and 
careful nursing — at other times will give them medicine 
to make them sick — again will refuse to look at, or hear 
a word from them, when they come before him, and then 
go and tell the officers that there is nothing the matter 
with them. 

Next, the officers are impatient and fretful every hour 
the prisoners are sick, almost ready to command them to 
get well and go to work, yet will do nothing to make 
them able. In one instance McC. gave orders to a sick 
man, " J., you have been sick long enough. I shan't 
put up with it any longer, now go to work and get 
well !" Many, many have been driven to work long 
before they ought to go, or were able to work. The 
consequence was, they had a relapse, and were worse, 
perhaps, than before. 

Again, they are committed to the care of a fellow pri- 
soner, who is almost as bad as the doctor — ungodly, 
hardened, selfish, lazy, having but little concern whe- 
ther they live or die. 

It is not of much consequence what the disease is, the 
prescriptions are much alike — generally a heavy dose of 
calomel and jalap, or blue mass, or oil, or quinine. A 
number of men went to the doctor to have their teeth 
pulled, which ached severely — he ordered an emetic for 
them, and they had to take it! Other cases might be 
given just as absurd. And his dietetic prescriptions are 
general, for all alike, whether they can eat the food or 
not. For breakfast they have a piece of dry, hard, corn 
bread, and a cup of bitter rye coifee ; for dinner, some 
dry mush, or potatoes, or potato soup, and dry corn 
bread — at times, beef broth ; for supper, the same as for 



312 COMFORT IN, AND BENEFIT OF SICKNESS. 

breakfast. Some extreme .md favored cases get now and 
then a piece of dry, wheat bread, or if they are dying, a lit- 
tle chicken broth ! The common complaint is " I can't 
get anything that I can eat." Generally, nothing suita- 
ble or nourishing is provided, and thus they are starved, 
till they are driven to work again, on their corn bread 
and fat bacon, which often brings a relapse. And, ex- 
cept in dangerous cases, they are confined to their cells 
where the air is impure and oppressive, with no one to 
fan, cheer, or help them. " O, this is exaggeration !" 
says one. " I speak that I do know, and testify that I 
have seen" and felt, and yet " the half has not been 
told you." I cannot portray it fully. 

On the 5th of August, James was taken with the chills, 
fever, and headache. He went to Dr. Moore, who ut- 
terly refused to do anything for him. In the course of 
a week, he was about again. On the 12th, I was taken 
with the chills. For five days, I was unable to get any 
medicine. And when it did come, I was obliged to get 
up every hour, for two nights, at the knock of the guard 
on the door, and take it alone. About this time James 
was taken again. We had but little to strengthen us — 
little that a sick man or weak stomach could bear. 

On the 26th, Alanson was taken sick, and quit work 
for a week. 

On the 3d of September I was taken again — a shake 
every day. To get strength on the diet we had, seemed 
almost impossible. Two weeks I kept still. To- 
wards the last of September, Alanson was again brought 
to his bed. During this sickness, he succeeded in get- 
ting one small piece of light bread. Otherwise, the diet 
was as previously described. 

While thus stretched upon our beds of pain and lan- 
guishing, we had no kind, angel hand to soothe, and 
administer to our necessities. While one was burning 
with fever, the others were obliged to be at their work, 
leaving the sufferer alone with God. 

But the Lord made all our bed in our sickness. Ps. 
xli. 1-3. He '' stayed his rough wind in the day of his 
east wind." Whatever we lacked we were assured that 



LOVE OF PRISON LIFE. 313 

we had what was good. While food was denied the 
body, our souls had food they knew not of. The pro- 
mises were reviving cordials. The heavenly letter was 
full of consolation, vast and free. 

By these trials we learned how to sympathize with 
the poor — we better understand the heart of a pri- 
soner, and the condition of thousands of the slaves, 
who in sickness are not treated half so well as we were. 
We are better prepared to labor for them. O ! how lit- 
tle do they suffer from sickness, who are surrounded by 
kind friends, anxious to make them as comfortable as 
possible, who have all they can wish or ask for, when 
compared with a poor prisoner or a slave, who has 
much to make and keep him sick, and but little to 
make him well ! " Sick, and in prison." 

I have been thus particular, 

1. That the world may know these things, and if pos- 
sible, that a change may be effected. 

2. That Christians may pray for them. 

3. That they may be thankful for the mercies they 
enjoy ; 

4. To magnify the grace of God, who stood by and 
comforted us in all our afflictions. 

When we were sick with chills, we generally could 
read or write every other day ; and in this manner I read 
much, and wrote many of the foregoing pages, when 1 
had to bolster up in my bed. Other parts were written 
late at night, while others were asleep, and when I much 
needed to be asleep. 

RECOMMITMENTS. 

The majority of the prisoners came from St. Louis in 
gangs, from two to seventeen, with sentences from two 
to ninety-nine years, on charges of all kinds. Many are 
not satisfied with one trial, and come again. Since we 
have been here, four or five have served their time out, 
gone forth to stealing, and came back again — and some 
have served out their second term, since ours commenced. 
One man served two years, had the dropsy, just went out 
with his life, went to St. Louis, committed highway rob 

14 



314 LOVE OF PRISON LIFE. 

bery, and was sent back for ten years, having been ab- 
sent about six weeks. He will probably die here. 
Many go from here, almost directly to other prisons, and 
from thence to others — thus they spend their lives in the 
various prisons of the world. We have, and have had 
them here from nearly all the penitentiaries in the Union, 
East, West, North, and South. And many have been in 
two, three, four, penitentiaries, and so on, before they 
came here. One man spent twenty-two years of his 
life thus, before being sentenced here for six more. 

To many, there is no place so natural and so much 
like home as a prison. And I have remarked of a num- 
ber of new comers, " That man has been in a Peniten- 
tiary before." Why 1 " He acts perfectly at home. He 
knows all about the ways and manners of convicts." 

When a new one comes " he acts like a cat in a strange 
garret," as the saying is. He is awkward and confused, 
and frightened, and disconsolate. 

A number are here from New South Wales. They 
escaped from there on vessels, went to New Zealand, 
and lived for nine months naked with the natives, till an 
opportunity offered to come to this country. One lived 
thus among the natives two years — married a chief's 
daughter, and had two children. He is a polished rogue, 
very affable in his manners. Thus they go from one 
place to another. Steal they will, for it is the only way 
they know to get a living — and thieves are caught — and 
prisons are made for thieves. Their sin finds them out, 
and they find u the way of transgressors is hard — here, 
and hereafter. Pitiable objects ! Yet, this is a place 
for moulding such characters ! 

extract from james' letter sept. 24, 1844. 

Dear Brother : 

This is the first I have written with my right hand, 
since I broke it — and as it is now so stiff that I cannot shut 
it, I have no hope of ever having the proper use of it again. 
I can do but very little of anything with it. Looking at 
the circumstance in a worldly point of view, many 



EXTRACT OF A LETTER. 315 

would think it a hard matter to be a cripple all their 
days, but I do not have a murmuring thought about it — 
feeling that all that God does is right and well done. He 
has a special regard for all his children, and will always 
do what is for their best good. I feel that dying is no- 
thing. God will do "all things well." 

James. 

quietness extract of a letter. 

" When He giveth quietness, who then can make trou- 
ble 1 ?" There is the quietness of the calm which pre- 
sages the dreadful storm — and there is a quietness of the 
soul, produced by a sense of God's favor, and protection. 
It arises from a confidence in his goodness, power, and 
faithfulness to all his promises. It results from an im- 
plicit committing of ourselves to his disposal and care. 
It is a " quietness" which all the storms of earth cannot 
discompose, consisting of " perfect peace" of "joy un- 
speakable and full of glory." ! blessed " quietness! " 

George. 

the christian slave. 

About the middle of September, a slave was brought 
here from the city. His crime was this — a suspicion on the 
part of his master, that he would run away. The slave 
was a Christian. He said to Alanson, " If they sell me 
South, the Lord is there. I don't care where they put me, 
the Lord is with me from time to time. lam happier here 
than I was outside. I have a house in heaven. I am 
bound to believe in Jesus Christ, &c." 

The following occurred between him and James : " Do 
you know whether your master will sell you South V 
He replied, " I do not. I have lived with him fourteen 
years, and always tried to do well." u Wherever they 
send you, live for God." " That I am determined to do. 
Though all forsake me, God is my friend. Send me 
where they will, they can't take Him away from me. 
He is all the comfort I have." " Can you read V 9 
"Some." " You must try and improve all you can." 
" I will — but we have only one book" (among three) . " I 



316 CHRIST SOLD. 

will lend you a Testament next Sabbath." " I wish you 
would. I like to read — but above all, I like to look into 
the holy book of God— that's the best of all." " I 
would be glad to help you if I could, but it is for trying 
to help just such a man as you, that I am sent here." " I 
know it," said he, " and there is a great reward laid up 
for you." " It don't matter much," said James, " if we 
are bound in this world, if we are Christians, and get 
to heaven, we shall then all be alike and happy — there 
is no slavery there." " I know it. I am sure of that." 
"I pray for you every day." u I thank you," said he. 
iC I. too pray for you all." 

What a lesson many Christians may learn from this 
poor slave ! No outward trouble or circumstances 
could destroy his happiness. And mark how the slaves 
regard our sufferings. Give me their prayers and bless- 
ings rather than the favor of their opulent masters. 

On the 19th, the master came in with another man, 
and asked, " How much do you think you can give me 
for him V 9 Who that has human feelings is not shocked 
at such a question 1 His master is a professor of religion. 
See him bartering away for money, a brother in the 
Lord — one of Christ's " little ones !" Yea, selling 
Christ himself, according to his own declaration. 
How similar to Judas' question ! 

What multitudes are sold and abused who are true 
Christians, by those who profess to be the same ! O ! 
when all these things shall be published at the great, 
day, what scenes will be exhibited ! And yet this is 
the system that the mass of the Church are countenanc- 
ing — in which many of her members are engaged, and 
which many of her watchmen refuse to rebuke and op- 
pose ! 

Sept. 20. Sabbath morning, the slave came to our 
cell, and we had a blessed season of conversation and 
prayer together. O ! that prayer ! How childlike ! 
How submissive, and truly evangelical ! It did us 
good. 

He told his experience, which was very touching, and 
highly scriptural. It reminded us of some of Bunyan's 



THE CHRISTIAN SLAVE. 317 

figures — such as the burden, a view of the cross, and the 
Savior offering to help. His views of the evil and de- 
sert of sin were very remarkable. He was evidently 
taught by the Spirit. " Come life or death, I am fully 
determined to press on in the narrow way, and never 
look behind, for there is nothing to look back after. 
God will be with me everywhere, and if we have Christ 
we have all. With Him and his love in our souls, the 
trials and sufferings of earth are nothing. If we lose 
Him we lose all, and nothing can comfort us. Thank 
God ! I can stand up before ten thousand worlds, and 
say — ' I am born of the Spirit.' I know God hears 
prayer, and that the prayers of the righteous do avail 
much (referring to the prayers of an aged slave woman 
for his conversion). If I get home first, I shall be look- 
ing for you, and I hope to strike hands with you there. 
If you get home first, look out for me, for I am bound 
to meet you there. I shall be continually scratching 
that way." 

As he shook hands with us, he said, "God bless you 
all." Two of the converts were present. " Pray for 
me. I shall remember you. Let us so live that when 
we get to heaven, we shall be looking for one another." 
We told him something of what many were doing for 
the slaves, which animated and cheered his heart. O, 
how far,y«r superior is he to his rich master. And who 
w r ould not choose the slave's seat in heaven 1 

Should slaveholders see us outside, conversing with 
their slaves, they would be almost horrified, but they 
can send them here to us. 

Sept. 22. The slave left, in chains. Farewell, 
brother. 

Perhaps his master is described in ZecJu xi. 5. — 
" Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not 
guilty ; and they that sell them say, ' Blessed be the 
Lord (very pious), for I am rich.' " (Very thankful.) 
Oh ! oh! the abominations of our "peculiar and do- 
mestic institutions." 

Our hearts were deeply affected by this slave's case, 
because it has come under our own observation ; we saw 



318 A BREAK CRUELTY. 

the Savior in him. But the cases of thousands of others 
much worse than this, never come to the light. They 
have no one to cheer and comfort them ; no one to heal 
their wounds, and go with them to the mercy seat. 
They suffer and groan, they languish and pine, they are 
bought and sold, they bleed and die alone. " Remem- 
ber them in bonds, as bound with them." 

Oct, 1. Some kind friend sent us a quantity of sweet 
potatoes — we know not who, but it is evident some one 
thinks of us. 

3. James was directed to stay with a sick man, in 
his cell, during the day and half the night, till he re- 
covered. He waited on him about a week. 

On the same day a master pointed me out to his slave, 
who stared as if he meant to know how an abolitionist 
appeared. 

9. A company of prisoners working in the back side 
of the yard, succeeded in getting a hole through the 
stone wall. That evening was the time to make their 
exit, but when the leader had advanced nearly through, 
he saw a number of guns pointed at him, and drew 
back. Their plan had been discovered, and prepara- 
tions were made to meet them. A number were severe- 
ly punished, while the ring-leader went clear. One 
man received two hundred strokes with the cow-hide, 
because he would not say he did anything, but only 
knew of the plan. He was whipped and scarred from 
the ends of his toes to the crown of his head, and the 
ends of his fingers ; so that when they brought him forth 
again, they could find no place to strike him that was not 
already cut ! The man would not confess, and was 
almost killed. " For five months after that, I had run- 
ning sores on my back," said he to me. For a long 
time he went nearly double, and could scarcely move 
about. 

The same man was so abused and starved that he 
was driven to the extremity of cutting off the ears and 
tails of living hogs, boiling them in a cup with corn, and 
eating them. For this he was again punished. " How 
could he get these things V 9 Very easily. The yard was 



VILE .MEN EXALTED. 319 

thronged with hogs, and with a little corn he could 
easily catch them. 

" LIKE SEEKS LIKE." 

In the weaver shop, the meanest and w r orst man of 
the company was appointed foreman. In the black- 
smith-shop, the rope-walk, cooper-shop, hackle-house, 
and factory, the greatest thieves — the most false, dis- 
honest, and evil-disposed men in the prison, are fore- 
men. So did the emperors of old — each one appointed 
officers according to his own character. " They that 
work wickedness are set up." Said one of the hands 
to me, " Thompson, you must be more mean ; then you 
will soon be foreman again." 

Oct. 17. One of the hands had a fit. While with 
him in his cell, I saw written on the wall, " God hath 
delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into 
the hands of the wicked." Job xvi. 11. I was glad 
to see that he acknowledged the hand of God in his 
affliction. 

THE UNJUST LAW. 

Oct. 27. Our chaplain preached from, u Sin is a re- 
proach to any people." He said many good things, but 
did not tell how great a sin slavery is, nor what a re- 
proach it is to our nation. One remark pleased us much. 
After laying down the broad ground that any, and all 
sin is a reproach, he said, " The transgression of an un- 
just law cannot constitute a man a sinner." We trans- 
gressed no human law, yet suppose there had been 
one, as there is now, is not such a law an unjust law, in 
every sense of the word 1 It makes a man an offender 
who obeys the divine law T , to love, do good to, and re- 
lieve our fellow men. It makes it a crime to " plead 
for the dumb," " rebuke iniquity," to be " eyes to the 
blind, and feet to the lame," and ten thousand other 
things which God requires. What can be more unjust \ 
Then w r e are not sinners. 

On the next Sabbath he preached his farewell, from 
iC Righteousness exalteth a nation," — a perfect Fourth of 



320 DEATHS. 

July harangue. He said nothing about the debasement 
of our nation, in consequence of its unrighteous and 
cruel oppression. Every other sin and iniquity but the 
greatest, the cherisher and protector of all others, may 
be rebuked, but touch not " our craft by which we have 
our" unrighteous " wealth." 

NEW CHAPLAIN. 

JVov. 10. Our new chaplain preached to us, and as 
he was not a singer, I was called on to lead the singing. 
The singers being scattered all over the room, and so 
many discordant voices uniting, the sound was rather 
distressing than pleasing. I made application to have 
ail the singers sit together, which was granted. I chose 
my own singers, who took a front seat, which helped the 
matter a little. Till I left, I thus led the singing. 

A few days after, the chaplain came to me, and said 
" I am a stranger, and hardly know how to proceed or 
what to do. I want you to advise me what steps to 
take." I led him to my cell, where I gave him a histo- 
ry of things, and told him what I thought was his duty. 
He is a young man, talented, but not at all calculated to 
preach to prisoners. He don't understand a prisoner's 
heart. However, he felt fettered, as he said to me one 
day. He knew the officers did not want him here, and 
he feels restraint almost as much as we do. 

About the middle of November, Alanson and myself 
were let out, at four or five o'clock, to make a fire in our 
shops. This was continued all winter, which gave us 
an opportunity to read considerably in the morning, as 
well as evening. 

DEATHS. 

On the morning of the 10th, P. R. died. He had 
been sick but four or five days. I knew nothing of his 
sickness till after I was locked in my cell, the night he 
died. He had been here one year. He was very fond 
of his children, talked much about, and longed to see 
them. A short time before this, his little son sent to 



LEGISLATORS. 321 

him, " Pa, you are gone too long." Poor boy ! What 
will he think now? How will his little heart break, to 
think he can never see Pa again. 

Soon another was called away, after being sick one 
week. He had but five months to stay, would do any- 
thing to gain the favor of the officers, but neglected to 
seek God's favor, " which is life," till death took away 
his spirit, and the doctors his body for dissection. 

Three days after, another died, trusting in his own 
morality. 

When I went out, early in the morning, 1 asked the 
steward, "How are the sick?" "They are all dead." 
James had been sitting up with them, and a guard asked 
him how they were. " The Doctor says they might get 
well, if they could only have the proper attention paid 
to them." The guard replied, " Ah ! you know that 
cannot here be obtained." For the want of it, numbers 
have died. 

THE LEGISLATOR. 

Nov. 23. The man with whom I have had two con- 
versations (previously mentioned), called to have an 
" abolition argument," as he said. His principal topic 
again, was about the public opinion with regard to this 
or any other evil. " The only true and safe course, is 
to enlighten the people, and bring public sentiment 
against it." I answered, " I heartily believe this is the 
best way to do away slavery." 

But how, how, how, is the slaveholding public to be 
enlightened? If they believe in "enlightening the 
public," why this fear of the light, and making laws 
against it? Ah! well do they know that their cause 
will not bear the light. To " enlighten the people," is 
just what we want. 

A few days after, he came again, with two others, to 
my loom, and we had a long talk. They asked many 
questions about the treatment, clothing, work, books, &c. 
One was strongly in favor of a Sabbath School, and Li- 
brary, Newspapers, and other religious means, to make 
the prison a place of reformation. The need of all these 

14* 



322 CHEERING CON* CERTS. 

things I strongly urged. Said one, " We expect that 
you will tell the truth about the institution !" 

29. A number of legislators talked with Alanson, 
proposing the same old questions, " How do you feel V 1 
— " Do you think it was wrong?" They would not 
sign a petition, because he would not " yield the point, 
and give up to them." They urged him to " yield, and 
not be such an enthusiast — yield for the sake of your 
family, and for your own sake." This was touching to 
the parent's tender feelings, but the grace of God ena- 
bled him to stand firm and unyielding. 

Afterwards he asked another, " Do you think they 
will let me go home to my family V He replied, " I am 
afraid not. There is too much prejudice yet." Yes, 
yes, that's it — cruel, unreasonable prejudice ! 

During the legislature, many of the members were in 
to see us. 

MONTHLY CONCERT. 

Though in prison, we have observed the monthly con- 
cert for the oppressed, and have had some cheering sea- 
sons. At one time Alanson conversed with a slave, 
who came to him to get some work done. He said that 
many slaves were running away from St. Louis. Others 
brought in the same news. And from other sources we 
learned that many were going from other places. This 
gave new life to our little concerts. We rejoiced and 
took courage. 

As a slave was standing by Alanson, he asked, 
" Do you know my name." " No." " Do you 
know what I am here for?" " I do not." "It is for 
trying to help a poor slave." " ! you are one of the 
preachers ! I preaches sometimes. I have been in the 
cause five years." 

Dec. 1. After preaching, the chaplain came to me and 
enquired about the class, and said he would attend to it, 
and have it started. But he little knew the opposition 
there was to encounter. " On the side of our oppres- 
sors there was power." 



CALLED ON TO PRAY. 323 



FIGHTING. 



It is a rule, that if two prisoners fight or quarrel, they 
will certainly be punished. Two fought in the rope- 
walk. They were led into the guard-room, where were 
Judge B., Capt. B., and McC, to behold the sport — to 
witness the diabolical tragedy, which follows. 

The prisoners were stripped of coat and shirt — their 
left hands tied together — a raw hide given to each — and 
the command, " Now take satisfaction out of each 
other !" It was cut and slash, over the eyes, the head, 
or the back, where they thought they could get the most 
" satisfaction," till one cried " enough, : * and they were 
parted. 

In ancient times, they assembled to see wild beasts 
worry and devour each other ; but in this enlightened 
age, this Christian country, this place of reformation, 
official men, can feast themselves, in seeing their own 
species act the part of wild beasts, and witness with 
ecstatic delight, scenes which would make an angel weep 
and put humanity to blush. Under such instructors is 
it any wonder that villains are multiplied 1 

OUR STOVE. 

Dec. 10. Alanson obtained permission to have a 
small sheet-iron furnace in our cell, which made it very 
comfortable in the coldest weather. How great the 
blessing ! How agreeable were our mornings and even- 
ings ! How pleasant our Sabbaths, compared with for- 
mer and latter days ! We kept it through that winter. 
The next we could get none. It furnished us facilities 
for reading and writing, we could not have enjoyed in 
the cold. We praised the Lord for his mercy. 

At that sitting of the Legislature, our friends had ex- 
pected to be present, to intercede for us, but were pro- 
videntially prevented. 

Dec 22. After sermon, I was called on to pray for the 
first time since I was turned out of the foremanship. 
During the remainder of my time, it was the chaplain's 
custom to call on one of us to pray. And towards the 



324 A PETITION FOR ALANSON. 

latter part, I had to pray, sing, and line his last hymns 
icr him. 

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. 

The day was given to the prisoners. Our food was 
extra — light biscuit, roast meat, coffee, sausage, and ap- 
ples. The majority spent the day sporting and carous- 
ing as they pleased. We almost imagined ourselves in 
some large city, when we heard the fiddle, flute, danc- 
ing, boxing, wrestling, laughing, hooting, shouting, 
racing, &c, &c. Col. Price, McC, and the guard, 
were spectators, and encouraged the sport. The mass 
were all taken up with the foolishness and wickedness. 
But in the " hallowed cell," a company of Christians 
assembled, and w r e had a reviving prayer meeting. 
1 also wrote a letter for a colored brother to his wife and 
brother, who are slaves. Increased our temperance 
signers — talked with the visitors, &c. A citizen came 
to see us, and said, " Murderers, robbers, thieves, and 
all villains, can get pardoned out from here before 
Burr and Thompson. They will stay their time out'" 
On that day, a man from Quincy arrived with a petition 
for Alanson, which he circulated among the Legislators. 



CHAPTER IX. 

LEGISLATORS— ALANSON'S RELEASE, &c. 

SIXTH DEATH-BED SCENE. 

Early on the morning of Dec. 16th, I found W. G., 
our first prison brother, very sick. He was bled — 
fainted twice, and was taken to the hospital. The 
next morning James asked him how he felt in his mind. 
He answered, " I am so sick, I have no mind, I can't 
think." " Are you willing to leave all in the hands of 



LETTER TO THE WIDOW. 32/i 

God 1" " Yes." " Are you willing to die now 1" " I 
am." We frequently watched with him during the 
night, and comforted him with the promises. I asked, 
" Do you feel anxious about your family V " No, I do 
not, at all." We often called on him during the day, 
and watched the feelings of his soul. He was at all 
times, calm and submissive, desiring the will of the 
Lord. 

The following letter, which I wrote his wife, will give 
further particulars : 

Penitentiary, Jan. 6, 1845. 

Sister G., 

It devolves upon me to announce to you " heavy 
tidings" — yet not of such a nature as to produce despair, 
though they cause you to weep and mourn — for you will 
not mourn "as those without hope." Endeavor, then, 
to be calm, while I say to you that your beloved hus- 
band, W. G., has left this troublesome world of pain and 
sorrow, for his eternal rest, "at God's right hand, where 
are pleasures for evermore." He had been sick about 
three weeks, during which time I frequently conversed 
and prayed with him, much to his comfort. A day or 
two ago, we thought he was a getting better, but last 
night and to-day he grew worse, and gradually failed, 
till near sundown, when he breathed his last. He 
wished me to write to you and tell you his feelings — 
exhort you to train the dear children for God, and meet 
him in heaven. In view of death he was composed. 
During all his sickness, was willing to die, and felt that 
through the cleansing blood and meritorious sacrifice of 
Christ, he was prepared to " depart and be with Him." 

To-day, I asked, u Do you feel that Jesus is your 
Friend V 9 " Yes." " Will he be with you in the hour 
of death 1" "Yes." I then repeated to him the pro- 
mises, and prayed with him. A few minutes before he 
died, I asked, u is the Savior near to you?" " Yes." 
" Are you afraid to die 1" " No." " Can you commit 
your wife and children to the Lord?" "Yes." This 
was the last word he spoke. There can be no doubt of 
his happy state. For more than three years here, his 



326 HAPPY BROTHER. 

walk nas been unblamable — so that the most wicked 
were compelled to say, " I believe he is a genuine 
Christian." Perhaps I knew as much of his heart, as 
any man, having had sweet fellowship with him for 
three years, and I can assure you that his spirit, dispo- 
sitions, principles, aims, desires, hopes, were those of a 
true, humble, devoted child of God. He was ever fond 
of his Bible, and u ready for every good word and work.'* 
I mention these things for your consolation, and the 
comfort of his friends. " G. T. 

The letter went on to comfort her, but I cannot copy. 
A poem, which I composed on the subject of his death, 

closes : 

Thus are his toilings, griefs, and sufferings o'er ; 
And now, on Canaan's happy, peaceful shore 
He'll see the wisdom, goodness, love of God, 
In all the pains and smartings of the rod ; 
And for them all, will praise, adore and love 
With all the blissful company above. 

! happy brother ! what a glorious change ' 
Here, suffering prisoner — now with Jesus reigns ! 
Here, cast out, scorned, disfigured, trodden down — 
Now, honored by Immanuel with a crown ! 
From earthly prisons, and from cruel foes, 
To heavenly mansions, and to God he goes. 

By the man who came from Quincy, we received a 
bundle of letters, dried fruit, and clothes. We answer- 
ed the letters, and wrote a number of others, to send 
back by him, but they never were sent. Probably they 
fell into the hands of Col. Price. 

Jan. 1, 1845. " I enter upon a new year, " not 
knowing the things that shall befall me here, save that 
the Holy Ghost witnesseth, that bonds and afflictions 
abide me." "But none of these things move me." 
Let come what will, if God come with it, it shall be 
welcome. With Him, I have all, without Him, noth- 
ing. n 

The last three Sabbaths Alanson spent with us, he 
went round to all the cells distributing tracts — " no 
man forbidding ;" he talked with the prisoners, and 



TALK WITH LEGISLATORS. 



327 



found a general desire to read anything lie would give 
them. 

Jan. 15. Judge McBride, and other legislators, came 
in to see Alanson. The Judge said, " Some friends are 
making an effort to get you out, and I have come to in- 
quire about your feelings. The Governor says he will 
do nothing, without a pledge, through us, that you will 
do so no more." Alanson said, "The act was impru- 
dent, and done without sufficient consideration. I will 
not do so myself, nor will I encourage others to do the 
like." " Your wife pledged herself to use her entrea- 
ties to get you to go back to Connecticut — if you will do 
so, you will be out of the way, where you can't inter- 
fere with our rights." " As for going back I do not 
know about it — I don't know as it will be so that I can, — 
though the entreaties of my wife will have considerable 
influence. I don't know as I have any property." 
" I believe you have not— your wife is living on charity." 
Alanson did not promise to go back to the East. 

18. To Capt. Carson and other members, I said — 
" Can't you do something for me, this winter, to get me 
out of this place T' "I don't know, Thompson, it is 
doubtful. There has been much talk about you among the 
members, and they generally think that the rigor of the 
law should have its course on you a while longer. It is 
generally considered that you are the ring-leader and in- 
stigator in this affair, because you are the most forward 
and intelligent." " It is a mistake. In the three indict- 
ments, I was only brought in as accessory. Have 
you heard anything against my character or con- 
duct, since I came here V 9 " Not a whisper." Another 

" Did you belong to those abolitionists in Illinois'?" 

" I was a citizen there, and a member of Mission Insti- 
tute." He was very fiery— spoke of the " under ground 
railroad," and the work of the abolitionists— was willing 
at once to go and fight them, and tear Illinois all to 
pieces. Another—" It is a pity, a pity, you got into 
this scrape— have your sentiments changed V* "No 
sir." Capt. Carson—" Well, I will have further con- 
versation with the members about it." 



328 A LEGISLATOR ENRAGED. 



ALANSON PARDONED. 



Jan. 20. Alanson left us. He had been a prisoner 
three years, six months, and seven days. We rejoiced 
to see him go. It was a general time of rejoicing 
among the prisoners, to see " old man Work" go out. 

He carried out with him, in his open hand, upwards 
of two hundred pages of this work, besides all my jour- 
nal up to that time. Such was the " good hand of our 
God upon us," the officers did not even look to see 
what he had ; otherwise, we all should have found trou- 
ble a plenty. 

My poem on " The Departure of Alanson" closes as 
follows — 

I. 

O, happy Alanson ! released from his chains, 
And compassed with spirits akin to his own : 

His tongue will break forth in unknown, joyful strains, 
And tell with exulting what Jesus hath done. 

II. 

The songsters of nature his bosom will cheer, 

And earth's blooming prospects enrapture his sight: 

The sound of " the church-going bell" he can hear, 
And view happy throngs with enlivening delight. 

II. 
Go, go, happy brother, to freedom again, 

The great boon of heaven improve and enjoy. 
A little while longer, your partners remain, 

To labor, and suffer — and " count it all joy." 

IV. 
Farewell, now, dear brother, farewell a few days, 

Though parted in body, we're still joined as one, 
For all these afflictions, our Father we'll praise, 

And adore him for ever, around the white throne. 

The man who came from Quincy with the petition 
was here about four weeks, and his conduct was any- 
thing but that of a gentleman. He represented Alan- 
son to the legislators as a " poor, weak-minded man ;" 
said " he was over-persuaded and duped into it by the 
others, who were more crafty, and deserved their punish- 
ment." " Weak-minded !" Would that he had a quar- 



BANISHMENT OF ALANSON- 329 

ter of the mind that Alanson has. And when he came, 
a year after, he told the same story about James — re- 
presenting him as having no mind, and myself as the 
" crafty" one — telling things directly contrary to what 
he said a year previous. These things I had from an 
ungodly legislator, who heard both stories, and who 
despised his wicked conduct. He also lavishly spent 
hundreds of hard earned dollars, where there was no 
need. 

THE ARTICLE OF PARDON ALIAS, BANISHMENT. 

THE STATE OE MISSOURI, 

To all who shall see these presents : greeting. 

Know ye, that by virtue of authority in me vested by law, and 
for good and sufficient reasons appearing, I, JOHN C. EDWARDS, 
Governor of the State of Missouri, do hereby pardon Alanson 

Work, who was, on the day of October, in the year of our 

Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one, by judgment of the 
circuit court of Marion County, committed to the Penitentiary of 
said State, for the space of twelve years, for the crime of stealing 
negro slaves, in this State. And I do hereby restore and entitle the 
said Alanson Work to all the rights, privileges, and immunities, which 
by law, attach to, and result from, the operation of these presents 
— on the express condition, however, that said Work returns to 
the State of Connecticut, his former residence, with his wife and 
children, and settles himself there. In testimony whereof, I have 
hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the great seal of the 
State of Missouri. Done at the city of Jefferson, this, twentieth 
day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- 
dred and forty five, of the independence of the United States, the 
sixty ninth, and of this State, the twenty-fifth. 

By the Governor, JOHN C. EDWARDS. 
JAMES L. MINER, Secretary of State. 

This is like giving the slaves the privileges of the 
freemen of the United States, if they will go to Africa ! 
And who ever heard before of a Governor having power 
to banish a person from States other than his own? 
Well, it is just like slavery. 

a letter from alanson. 
When the pardon was handed to me the conditions 
were not pointed out or mentioned, and I came out of 



330 THE LYING MI3SQURIAN. 

the prison without knowing that the condition was in 
it. Capt. Swartout was present when the pardon was 
given to me and we came out together. After we had 
started, he told me he had put the name of John Smith 
on the way bill, instead of Alanson Work. Abernethy, 
the State's Attorney* rode thirty miles in the stage with 
us. He did not know me. Where we stopped for din- 
ner, he began — "Have you been to Jefferson city?" 
" I have." " Were you acquainted with Thompson, 
Burr, and Work?" "Yes, I had some acquaintance 
with them." il Did you go into the penitentiary to see 
them V " Yes, I went in there." He then said, " I am 
sorry for them. They have staid there long enough. 
They ought to be turned out." He told Swartout he 
wanted to make some acknowledgments to me, but as- 
sured him he did no more on our trial than the law com- 
pelled him to do.f 

Some months after Alanson left, a citizen, by the name 
of Chase, came in and said to James, " I have had a 
letter from Work, at Poughkeepsie. He said, * if you 
ever get out, you must never think of a nigger again, 
for I am thoroughly convinced, that the course we pur- 
sued, was wrong, unconstitutional, and against God, an :. 
man.' I think Burr, will get out before long, bu 
Thompson is so head-strong, I believe he will have to 
stay his whole time out, unless he talks differently from 
what he said to me. I would not sign a petition for 
him." 

Work never said any such thing,J but this man tried 

* Our Prosecuting Attorne)'. 

t It is false. He did do more. 

J Since writing the above, I have received a letter from Alanson. Re 
says, " I have written but one letter to Mr. C, and that one was written 
from Mission Institute, soon after my return to my family. That I 
should write what Mr. C. says I did, is too inconsistent to be believed by 
anybody who knows as you do, that we should have been released two 
or three years sooner, if we had only bowed to Ihem enough to say we 
had done wrong. 

" Now, if I would not say that, when, by so doing, the prison doors 
would have been opened to me, think you I would, when I had clean 
escaped the lion's den, and was restored to my family ? That I would, 
when many hundred miles from the power of slaveholders, voluntarily 



P:iICE FOR LIBERTY. 331 

his ingenuity to deceive, frighten, and get me to re 
nounce my principles. 

At one time, he came in, and began, u Well, Thomp- 
son, they have played the mischief with the abolitionists 
in Cincinnati. They have tarred and feathered Birney," 
&c. I made some plain remarks, and he replied, " If 
that is the way you talk, you will stay every day of your 
time." Again, he said, " They have driven the aboli- 
tionists from Quincy — whipped some, mobbed others, 
ind they have all left, or will leave soon — and if you 
were there, they would hang you right up." 

And again, he came to me, " Thompson, will you sign 
a paper, for ever renouncing Abolitionism, and all con- 
nexion with it — never to advocate it in any way, but 
assist in putting it down? On these conditions, you can 
now be got out !" 

I have no comments — but will only remark, he w T as 
known as a man who regarded not the truth, who had an 
inveterate hatred against Abolitionists, and yet professed 
to be our friend ! 

A MAN MURDERED. 

Jan. 24. A prisoner died — insensible to the last. 
For a week or more, he had been crazy, having fits, and 
in great pains most of the time— yet the doctor said, 
" nothing was the matter with him. /" He begged for 
medicine, but could not get it ! At night, he was locked 
in his cell with his sickly cell-mate, without any light, 
where he frequently had fits ! I hesitate not to say, he 

Was MURDERED ! 

On the same day, Capt. Gorden came to be our over- 
seer, to whom the principal management of the prison- 
ers was committed. 

A FUNERAL SERMON. 

Jan. 26. The chaplain preached the funeral sermon 
of W. G., mentioned in the last " death-bed scene." It 

ma"ke the concession they required ! No, dear brother, you will not b >- 
lieve it. No, I did not write to Mr. C. from P. at all, much less say 
what he savs I did. " Alan son Work." 



332 A Fill END. 

was the first and the last thing of the kind, known in 
the prison, while I was there. 

Jan. 29. Another man died about the middle of the 
afternoon, and was buried that evening, I knew not of 
his sickness, till I heard of his death. 

THE COLPORTEUR. 

Feb. 4. A dear brother called to get some work done 
— inquired us out, and left some American Messengers 
— a Christian Almanac, and some precious tracts, which 
were a rich feast to our souls. On the 22d of Decem- 
ber, he called again, conversed, and left tracts, almanac, 
&c. On the 26th, he came in with a basket of books 
and tracts, distributed around to the prisoners, and gave 
me what books and tracts I desired — also a bundle of 
American Messengers. The Lord bless and reward the 
brolher for seeking out those who are " sick, and in pri- 
son" — for administering to the wants of the suffering, 
and despised. We followed him with our prayers. 

THE GREAT CROSS. 

A slave came to me and said, " Do you pray yet?" 
"Yes, I shall do that, as long as I live." He replied, 
" When you are praying for all others in the world, re- 
member poor me. I want you to pray that the Lord wil 1 
take me under His feet, and keep me there till the storm 
is over. Your brother has a great cross to bear, and it is 
just as much as he can do to wag under it." Truly the 
poor slaves have u a great cross" to bear, and all their 
toils, and sufferings, and reproaches, are " just as much 
as they can wag under." Lord, hide them beneath thy 
wings, till the " storm is over." Reader, w r ill you help 
the slave bear his " great cross?" 

Feb. 24. I was, at my request, placed in the wagon- 
shop, where I remained till my release — thankful for the 
opportunity of adding to my knowledge, preparatory to 
the work of a missionary. 

THE TEMPERANCE LECTURER. 

Feb, 27. A man came in to collect facts respecting 



DESIRE FOR LIBERTY. 333 

intemperance. He went round to each one with many- 
enquiries. He asked me the cause of my confinement. 
I replied, " My benevolence brought me here." " Abo- 
litionism 1" " Yes sir." James said, " My kindness to 
all men, brought me here." The man replied, " It was 
unfortunate for you. Some of the Abolitionists carry 
their points a little too far. There are Abolitionists 
here (in Missouri), but they don't go so far," &c. 

PRAYER WITH THE PRISONERS. 

March 2. The chaplain did not come. I was per- 
mitted to sing and pray with all the prisoners, who had 
assembled for preaching. The same privilege, I fre- 
quently enjoyed after that time, when the chaplain failed 
to come. Sometimes Capt. G., and sometimes a guard 
requested me thus to sing and pray with them. After 
preaching, either James or myself, were generally called 
on, by the chaplain, to pray. 

March 13. I worked on the ware-house, at the river, 
where I narrowly escaped, with my life. The scaffold, 
under which I was at work fell, and struck me on the 
head. It was very providential that I was not killed. 

DID HE U LOVE LIBERTY'?" 

J. A. was a slave in Virginia. He resolved to buy 
himself. For two years he saved what he could by odd 
jobs, and working Sundays, saving a little here and there, 
as he could get a few cents for the object. His master 
moved to Missouri. Here he bought his time for twelve 
dollars a month— excepting that during two summers he 
paid one dollar a day. All he could earn over was his 
own. He worked eight years, and gave $650, for him- 
self. To this add what he paid for his time— about 
$1250,00 beside the two years, yea, and all his former 
life in Virginia, and what a price ! Ten years he toiled 
for what he didn't love, did he? " Can't take care of 
themselves !" Try it. Let a poor, ignorant pale face 
beat it. In addition he earned nearly enough to buy his 
wife. He has here been converted, and is a lovely 
Christian. I have written to his wife, and have read a 



33 J: SABBATH BREAKING. 

number of letters from her. She thinks she would be 
" better satisfied" to belong to her husband than to 
another man. Who would not? She talks like a good 
Christian. I had intended to insert some of her letters, 
which I have, but my space will not permit. 

SABBATH WORKING. 

From the time that McC. came as overseer, the Sab 
bath began again to be desecrated, and its profanations 
increased till he left. By officers and prisoners it was 
contemned and trodden down. Capt. G. came with 
great pretensions to reformation. He told one and ano- 
ther that it was wrong to work on the Sabbath, and pre- 
tended to disallow it saying, " We w r ant no man to work 
on the Sabbath, but to read their Bibles and Testaments. 
If you had read your Bibles more, probably you would 
not have been here." Read the Bible ! — and one half 
of the prisoners had no Bible, no Testament, or any 
other good book. " Want no men to work on the Sab- 
bath !" — and the very man to whom he spoke these 
words, a short time after, was compelled to work all the 
Sabbath day, time and again ! For the last year the 
most prominent record in my journal, is their awful Sab- 
bath breaking. It has been amazing. I began to keep 
an account of the names of those who worked on Sun- 
day, what they did, and by whom ordered out, and con- 
tinued it for a few months ; but it was too tedious to re- 
cord all their abominations, and too shocking for 
the mind to dwell upon. It is one continued scene of 
noise, pounding, hallooing, bedlam, and confusion, as 
soon as the Sabbath returned ! 

The blacksmith's hammer was heard nearly every 
Sabbath. In the carpenter's shop work was common 
on the Lord's Day. The Sabbath was the day that tne 
guards, Mrs. Brown, and others took, to hire the priso- 
ners, for a trifling sum, to w r ork for them. In the brick 
yard, in the hemp, in hog killing, many were hired, and 
others compelled to work on the Sabbath. If any of the 
machinery broke or was out of order, it was repaired 
on the Sabbath. And many times when they have thus 



SABBATH BREAKING. 335 

stolen God's time\ to save the time of a few hands, has 
He visited them with heavy judgments ; yet they won Id 
not regard it. Often when we have been thus annoyed by 
the wickedness around us, has our prayer been, " The 
Lord require it," and his hand has fallen heavily upon 
them. We complained to the inspectors. They said, 
" it is a breach of their contract, and by so doing they 
forfeit their claim to the place." But nothing was done 
— Sabbath desecration continued. 

O ! how often have our souls longed for some quiet 
retreat, some grove or desert, the closet and the sanctua- 
ry, the stillness of a country Sabbath, and the commu- 
nion of Saints. But Jesus stood by, and comforted us, 
taught us to prize these blessings, and to sympathize 
with those who are deprived of them. 

April 4. For some weeks a protracted meeting in 
town had been in operation, and all classes were num- 
bered among the converts — to what I shall not attempt 
to say. 

JAMES AND A SLAVE. 

James asked, " What are they doing in town V The 
slave replied, " Some are trying to pray." "Are you 
helping them V s " I have to pray for myself." " Do 
you not pray for those who will not pray for them- 
selves?" " I pray for them, any how." " How many 
times a day do you pray 1" " I have not counted. How 
many times do you pray V " As often as I can get the 
opportunity." " Well, then, you must pray all the 
time." 

Another prisoner, " What does that mean ? — ' Pray 
without ceasing.' " James replied, " Always be in a 
praying mood." u That ain't the place," said the slave, 
"where it says, ' Pray in season and out of season' — 
that means to pray when you feel like it and when you 
don't feel like it — when you have the Spirit, and when 
you don't have the Spirit." 

At another time the slave said, " Seventy-five have 
joined the church. God knows whether they are Chris- 
tians, and they may know whether they have the Spirit, 



336 

and are born of God." Shame on many gospel-en- 
lightened professors, who sneer at the idea of assurance 
in the Christian life. Let this poor, despised slave, teach 
them purer theology. 



CHAPTER X. 

VARIOUS INCIDENTS. 

THE CHAPLAIN DRIVEN AWAY. 

April 6. Our chaplain had been so much engaged in 
the meeting in town, that he did not come for a number 
of weeks — and then, as soon as he made the last prayer, 
Capt. Gorden drove him away, without suffering him to 
pronounce the benediction — to prevent his speaking to 
any of the prisoners, as had been his custom after 
preaching 1 I exhorted the chaplain not to submit to it, 
and he afterwards pronounced the benediction,* but was 
obliged by Capt. G., to leave before the prisoners were 
dismissed — so that we had no opportunity to speak to 
him, except as he sometimes came in on business, and 
very rarely at such times — for Capt. G. would cling to 
him, till he saw him again out of the gate. At one time 
James and myself were talking with him a few moments 
— Captain G. saw us, came and drove James away, and 
led the chaplain to the gate ! Why this 1 They were 
afraid we would expose their awful abominations, and 
used all their efforts to prevent our communicating with 
citizens — but they could not — we did, and I now must 
bring out their wickedness to the world. The law 
grants to the Chaplain, the privilege of talking with 
prisoners as much as he desires, but what is law to 

* He was once driven away before the benediction, after Capt. G.'s 
conversion. 



THE CONVERTED SAILOR. 337 

Captain G.? He has ruled over men, so long, he can 
tread it down with impunity — and such are the men 
placed over outlaws, to teach them obedience to law ! 
Every desire or effort to reform was crushed by Captain 
G., but notwithstanding all his contempt and opposition, 
the Lord gave us souls. 

THE CONVERTED SAILOR. 

T. F. was from his youth a seaman, and spent many 
years on board an English " man of war." He had 
visited nearly all parts of the world, and told us many 
things of different nations. The last few years had been 
spent on the " Western w T aters," where he " drank 
freely," became intoxicated, and killed the mate of 
the boat. He was tried in St. Louis, and sent 
here for ten years — staid about seven. He was very 
profane, and ignorant of Bible truth. I conversed with 
him, and lent him many of our books — his eyes were 
opened, and the Lord blessed the truth. He ceased 
swearing and reproved the sin in others. He com- 
menced praying, and talked with his fellows about the 
unreasonableness of revenge — the folly of a dishonest 
life, and the importance of religion. 

Said he, " I pray every day, night and morning. I 
sit up and read sermons till the others are in bed, and 
asleep, then I blow out the light (which he had secretly), 
kneel down and pray, — confess my sins to God, and ask 
Him to show me my sins, that I may repent, and put 
them away — not from fear of punishment, but because 
they are offensive to God.' ; I had frequent conversa- 
tions with him, and we prayed together. He was very 
fond of the truth, and drank it in like water. The Mis- 
sionary Herald he read with great eagerness, and would 
sit up till midnight to read one through. It was reviving 
to our souls to see him grow, and strengthen, and shine. 
The evidence of his conversion was cheering. Soon 
after the change, he was pardoned out : we prayed to- 
gether in his cell, then with James, and another brother 
m ours, and bade him farewell. 

15 



338 INHUMANITY TO THE SICK. 



SICKNESS TREATMENT. 

April 7. I was taken with the ague ; and shortly 
after, James also. We had it at different periods, for 
more than three months — sometimes one, and then 
both at a time. A rehearsal of all the particulars of 
the sick, during this summer, would not only defile my 
pages, but be a disgraceful and indelible blot on human- 
ity. At times, James and I had a little light bread, 
&c; and then again, for days we have lain upon oui 
bed, too weak and faint to walk or sit — without having a 
mouthful brought us to eat. When able to walk about, 
we sometimes, by hard begging, obtained a few potatoes, 
or some small article of nourishment ; but when the 
system was once run down, it was with much difficulty 
that strength could be regained. When able to sit up, 
our time was spent in reading or writing, which added 
much to our comfort. During this summer, about sixty 
of the prisoners were sick at one time with ague and 
scurvy, and their treatment was inhuman. Men, with 
limbs swollen, stiff and blotched with scurvy, were 
driven to work till they could no longer walk — others 
were neglected till their teeth seemed ready to drop out 
of their mouths, and their flesh became almost putrid. 
The sight was awful ! If they went to Judge B. with 
their complaints, they were turned off with " you live 
so high, you are all getting the gout" or some other 
contemptuous remark. One, who was almost starved, 
asked him for something to eat. He replied, " I have 
given the Steward some flour, and you w r ill probably 
get some of that ; if that won't do, you may go sick /" 
The man got one small biscuit ! many got none. The 
doctor gave strict orders that no sick man should have 
a mouthful to eat, but one third of a pint of coffee three 
times a day, and that I could not drink. One who had 
the ague, said a I have had seven shakes, and have not 
had any medicine." Another, who had been for months 
in the Hospital, and beheld the treatment, said, " If the 
Almighty has anything to do with human events, I 



FRUITS OF SLAVEHOLDERS' RELIGION. 339 

should expect that he would trouble Judge B.,* for the 
manner in which he has treated the sick here. Some 
who had been sick and expected to die every hour, could 
not get a little nourishment, when a picayune'sf worth 
would have saved their lives !" 

Doubtless this is true, in a number of instances. On 
one occasion, the Doctor said, " I do not care much if 
they (the sick), do starve to death." He probably spoke 
the truth — for his actions corresponded. 

Said the Steward, " I am not allowed to give the 
sick any thing to eat ; and yet the officers are mad and 
complaining because we do not get strong and go to 
work ! As I spoke to Judge B., he said, " O you can 
shake any time — I suppose you intend to have another 
shake to-day !" One who was dying said to me, " They 
have treated me outrageously and inhumanly." Every 
word is true. One man complained to Captain G., that 
he was sick, and could not weave — he took him into the 
guard-room, gave him twenty lashes, and made him 
work. Such is the medicine some get. These are a 
few specimens — I might fill a volume with accounts of 
these abominations, but the Judgment will reveal them. 

SLAVEHOLDERS CONVERTED. 

April 19. The chaplain came to my cell and talked 
sometime — gave me an account of the revival in town — 
said that Captain Gorden was one of the converts, and 
would shout as loud as any one ! About ninety were 
converted, embracing the oldest and most influential men 
in the place — our Doctor (/) and some desperate tyrants 
among the number. The news filled us with joy, but 
we watched for the fruits of a slaveholder's revival. 
For a time Captain G. did seem a little different, but he 
soon became as bad, and worse than before — exhibiting 
more of his contrariness, cruelty, and opposition to all 
good, than when he was Warden ! 

The Doctor, if anything, was more hard-hearted than 

* His little boy, a favorite, sickened and died very suddenly, 
t 6 1-4 cents. 



340 DEATHS. 

ever ! And slave-holders continued to crush their 
bleeding victims ! Before Capt. G. was converted, he 
manifested respect for us, but it was after his pretensions 
to religion, that he treated us with contempt, and seemed 
to delight in vexing and crossing us, all he could. 

And it was after the conversion of some of the u in- 
fluential" men, that they could come and labor to have 
me renounce my sentiments ! 

May 12. A. G. B. died — a young boy, sent here for 
life, for killing his father — had been here two and a 
half years — belonged to my " class," before it was 
broken up, and was very exemplary in his conduct. 

SEVENTH DEATH-BED SCENE. 

J. H. M. had long been sickly, and unable to work. 
He was greatly abused and so starved because he could 
not work, that he was reduced to a skeleton, and became 
unable to move about. Upon his sick and death bed, I 
conversed with him — gave him dried apples, and tried 
to do him good. " Can you forgive them for their ill 
treatment of you?" said I. "I have no hard feelings 
towards any one, for any thing done to me. Once I 
used to take it to heart, but now I do not care anything 
about it." " Do you think you shall live?" "I can't 
without a great change. I do not dread the sting of 
death at all." " The best of us have no merits of heaven. 
All have sinned and need the merits and mercy ot 
Christ, before they can enter there." " Yes, George, 1 
have been sensible of that for two or three days." I 
gave him such counsel as he needed, when the bell rang, 
and I had to leave. Taking him by the hand, I said, 
" Farewell, perhaps we shall next meet in eternity." 
He replied, " Farewell, George. I hope to meet you in 
a better world." He soon died. 

April 30. J. J., who had long been sick, died. His 
whole mind was taken up with thoughts of liberty, and 
plans for the future. Thoughts of death and judgment, 
ne put far away, even while the monster stood before the 
door. He had but eight days of his time to stay, when 



bibles! 341 

it was suddenly cut short, and he was called to exchange 
this, for the prison of eternal gloom! 

THE EIGHTH DEATH BED. 

L. was from Connecticut — and one who had often re- 
sisted the grace of God. He died with consumption. I 
frequently conversed with him. At one time he said, 
" God is just, and justice is all I want. In his hands I 
am safe." We were called to sit up with him. Just 
before his death, I asked, " Do you feel willing to die V 9 
" If I could, I would rather see my family again — but if 
I must die, why I must. I have no control over such 
matters." " Do you feel prepared to die V He looked 
up with an expression of wonder, that I should ask such 
a question, and with a sneer said, " Why, I can't do 
anything to prepare for death. You know what my 
sentiments are." As he was willing to stand or fall, on 
the ground of justice, God took him at his word — but on 
such terms can no flesh be justified. Poor man ! How 
little did he understand of the guilt of sin, and the purity 
and extent of God's laws ! And here is the delusion of 
many souls. Sin is supposed to be but a little thing, and 
God's law of but little account — similar to the laws of 
mortals ! 

BIBLES ! BIBLES ! 

For more than two years we plead with ministers, in- 
spectors, and legislators, to have the place supplied with 
Bibles. In May the chaplain was deputed to purchase 
a quantity in St. Louis, and on the 3d of June a box of 
one hundred and fifty was brought in, and distributed to 
all who wished for one. They were received with great 
eagerness, by those who had been so long without any 
book. To us it was a joyful sight, and our sinking 
hopes were a little revived. We blessed the Lord for 
this new token of his love. 

June. 8. Two strangers preached and exhorted — a 
large company of spectators in. While I prayed, one 
of the ministers wept aloud. To hear a despised con- 
vict pray, was a new thing to him and to many others, 



342 TEMPERANCE PLEDGE — -TOBACCO — TESTIMONY. 

who came in on the Sabbath, apparently on purpose to 
see and hear us pray. 

10. While we were at breakfast, two men were found 
attempting to scale the wall by means of a rope. They 
were severely punished. Numbers have dug through 
the wall, out of their cells, at night, but before they 
could get over the wall, have been observed by the guard 
and suffered the consequences. 

15. The chaplain formed a Bible class, which took 
the place of preaching for some months. It was then 
given up, but few engaging in it. 

TEMPERANCE PLEDGE. 

While sitting up with James, one night, in the hospi- 
tal, I drew up a temperance pledge, describing the effects 
of intoxicating drinks, and promising to " touch not, 
taste not, handle not." As we had opportunity, we ob- 
tained signatures, to the number of seventy-six — of 
whom thirty-four confessed that liquor was the cause of 
their trouble. An opportunity to circulate the pledge 
would have added many names. The object was to se- 
cure them against future temptation. Of their drinking 
in the prison there was not much danger. One man, 
who ran away, and was brought back after about two 
years, said to me, " Had I not signed the pledge, here, 
I should have been drunk fifty times, but I thought how 
I had promised before God and the holy angels, not to 
touch it, and I stuck to it and drank none." 

I also drew up an anti-tobacco pledge, but it did not 
thrive much — yet it saved some from the vortex of pollu- 
tion. In the pledge, I spoke of looking to Jesus, to 
subdue the desire for it. One said, " I never knew be- 
fore that I was such a slave to it. I have often tried to 
quit, but never till now sought the help of Jesus, and it 
is no wonder that I failed. I feel assured that he will 
give me the victory." In one week the desire was all 
gone. 

In two months he gave me the following. " For two 
years I used snuff. My nose became a trumpet and I 
quit it. I then began to smoke. I thought it made me 



A PRAYER MEETING. 343 

look big, and was soon a slave. To appease the craving 
desire, I took to chewing. I knew it was injurious, but 
persisted in the use of it for eight years. By the grace 
of God, I was enabled lately to abandon it, and can now 
be a judge of its baneful effects. In two months since 
I quit, I have increased in weight twelve pounds, and in 
strength twenty per cent. I am not now molested with 
heart burn as formerly, nor troubled with drowsiness 
and unaccountable dullness of spirits. My nerves are 
not continually fluttering as formerly, my stomach is now 
always in good order, my mind clear and vigorous. In 
short I am now better and happier than I ever was, with 
my longest pipe, or my best 4 honey dew.' " 

June 28. Said a man to-day, " If I had my cell full 
of gold, I would give it for liberty again !" Ah ! what 
has the ungodly man here to comfort him? They " are 
like the troubled sea." 

July 4. The afternoon was given to us as a holiday. 
While the most of the prisoners were carousing, wrest- 
ling, boxing, and racing, w T e collected the Christians in 
our cell, and had a precious prayer meeting. All prayed 
and expressed their determination to cleave to God. It 
was a very sweet, refreshing season. The Lord blessed 
us abundantly. 

capt. gorden's humanity ! 

The wife of a prisoner came nearly twenty-one hun- 
dred miles, with two children, to see her husband. Capt. 
G. said to him, " What do you want to see your wife 
for ? You can have ten minutes, by the watch, to talk 
with her. You must not say one word about what 
brought you here, or about getting out." He sent a 
guard with a watch to hear the conversation. For more 
than three years they had not seen each other, and at 
first meeting were so overcome, that they could say but 
little in ten minutes. She went to the Governor, who 
sent her back, with orders to let them talk together, as 
much as they desired, and they did so. 

At another time a wife came to see her husband, and 
Capt. G. said to him, " Your wife has come to see you, 



344 TRUSTING IN GOD IN AFFLICTION. 

■ — she is foolish for so doing, and you can have five 
minutes , to talk with her." 

Why such inhumanity ! These two men had been 
faithful, and worked hard. I assign but one reason. 
Capt. G. is a slaveholder, and by familiarity with scenes 
and acts of cruelty, his heart has become steeled, and 
unfeeling — a natural tendency of slavery. 

Judge Brown, in general, was more humane, in this 
respect. He would let friends who came a long dis- 
tance to see a father, husband, son, or brother in prison, 
see and converse with them. 

EXTRACT OF A LETTER. 

July 15, 1845. 

Dear Brother E. : 

I have scarcely seen the day since early in the 
Spring that I could say, " I am well" (in body.) And 
now I have to lie upon my bed to write. However, I 
feel happy in committing myself to God; crying at all 
times, u Father, glorify Thy name." Those who are 
surrounded by health, wealth, liberty, friends, honors, 
&c, can know but little of what they realize, who are 
poor, forsaken, insulted, in prison, sick, languid, faint, 
and surrounded by all that is vile and odious. The for- 
mer find no difficulty in trusting God, for what they 
already abundantly enjoy — the latter know and experi- 
ence from day to day the blessedness of trusting in God, 
and to the world they can unhesitatingly testify to the 
power of Religion, to support and cheer, when all 
earthly supports fail and wither away. 

Those in adversity drink immediately from the foun- 
tain-head of all comfort and joy — while those in prospe- 
rity, drink of the streams which are generally mingled 
with numerous earthly ingredients. Hence, the benefit 
of affliction. O, let us not " despise the chastening of 
the Lord," nor be " weary of his correction." 

George. 

"abolition niggers." 

July 21. James was appointed servant-general ot 



JAMES TALKING WITH SLAVES. 345 

the prison. His business was to wait on the officers, 
keep the guard-room in order, light lamps in the halls 
and around the yard, &c. He served two weeks, was 
taken sick again, and another took his place. What 
little he did the rest of his time, was winding bobbins 
for the weavers. 

While he was " servant," three runaway slaves, were 
brought here in chains, for safe-keeping. Said Capt. G. 
to James, " These are abolition niggers." " What ! 
were they trying to c abolition' themselves V " Yes, that's 
it." These slaves were waited on, by James, who talk- 
ed and prayed with them. He asked one, " Well, you 
were running away, were you?" " 0, no, I was only 
going to see my wife in Kentucky." Again he asked, 
" Can you read V 9 One replied, " I can. I had a tes- 
tament with me in the woods, but a white man took it 
away from me, and I've not seen it since !" He then 
talked some time with them, and gave them a testament. 
They frequently came to our cell, to talk through the lit- 
tle door, while we " enlightened their minds." Many 
other prisoners encouraged them to try again ; and 
they said they were determined to keep trying, till they 
had "liberty or death." When they left, in chains, to 
to go south, they were furnished, by a blacksmith, with 
instruments to cut their irons. 

The sight of the " slave trader," filled my soul with 
feelings which I cannot, in words, express. Heaven ! 
in mercy stay thy judgments ! 

THE UNFORTUNATE FAMILY. 

A young man came for stealing — staid till his brother 
came, and ran away. After a time two other brothers 
came — soon, the old gray headed father, who acknow- 
ledged he had killed men, came and shortly after, the 
younger, a lad of fifteen, joined them. The old lady 
was in jail, and expected to come, but was liberated 
again. 

Aug. 13. Talked with a prisoner about studying the 
Bible. He said, " I want no more to do with the Bible. 
I have read it through twenty-two times, and it never 

15* 



346 inspectors' third examination. 

did me any good." He confessed it was his own fau.t. 
How many professing Christians have read it as much 7 

We talked with them a long time about many things 
—a little must suffice. Stringfellow said to James, " I 
have no sympathy for abolitionists. They are worse 
than thieves, robbers, or murdereis; and doing mort 
evil than all united." Gen. Monroe — " The slaves 
running away, is but little. Those who help them off 
are not the men who do the mischief — they are only the 
tools of the great men. But those who write and speah 
much on the subject, are the ones who do the mischief 
They even endanger the Union. No one wants to hoik 
you here, but there is a principle concerned in it — if 
you are pardoned out it will take off the restraint which 
we wish to lay on others, and encourage them to do the 
same." 

Stringfellow— " Well, Burr, you are charged with 
helping your neighbor — would you not think it as bad 
for a man to persuade your apprentice away, as to steal 
your money] James — "It would be wrong, but I do 
not consider the slave as property, or bound." " Well, 
if we let you go, you will do so again." " I will leave 
the State, and not trouble you again." " It is a mighty 
few abolitionists, that will be reformed in so short a 
time." (four years.) 

Many ot the prisoners interceded with them to use 
their influence for their liberation — and upon their re- 
commendation, without any petitions, six were pardon- 
ed at once— three of them, murderers — one an old coun- 
terfeiter — one an incendiary, and the other a horse racer. 

" not this man but barrabas." 

Soon after we came here, an old man, a murderer, 
was pardoned, because of his money, by Gov. Reynolds. 

A petition came for Alanson — in answering which 
Gov. Reynolds came out strongly against the too free 
use of the pardoning power. Then soon after, A. (J. 
who had wilfully and deliberately shot a man, and. was 
sent here for ten years, was pardoned after staying about 
six months. 



NOT THIS MAN, BUT BARABBAS. 347 

Next, E. H. who wilfully shot a man, and declared 
to me he would do the same thing again, was pardoned. 
He was first sentenced to be hung — then for twenty years 
in this place — then for ten — staid five and half and left, 
again engaging in drinking and gambling. 

A. H. was accessory to a wilful murder — first sen- 
tenced to be hung — then to this place for life — then his 
time reduced to ten years — then pardoned at the expi- 
ration of five and a half years. 

D., a Dutchman, killed a man — was sent here for two 
years — staid a few months and was pardoned by Gov. 
Reynolds. 

S. H. deliberately shot a man, and declared to me he 
would do it again — was sent here for forty-nine years — 
staid two and a half and was released by Gov. Marma- 
duke. 

J. G. charged with murdering his wife-sent here for 
ten years — staid five, and was pardoned by Gov. Mar- 
maduke. 

M., a woman, killed her husband with an axe — was 
sent here for five years — staid about half of it and was 
pardoned by Governor Edwards. 

U., an old man, killed his neighbor — staid here a 
few weeks and was turned out. 

J. P. shot a man for calling him a liar (and a greater 
one can scarcely walk the earth), staid about two years, 
and was set at liberty, declaring he would do the same 
thing again. 

R. stabbed and then shot a man — came here tor seven 
y ears — staid four years and three months, and was re- 
leased. . 

T. shot his neighbor without a cause, in cool blood — 
sent here for fifteen years— staid nearly five and was 
pardoned. 

W. G. stabbed his neighbor to death— sent here for 
fifteen years — staid five, and was pardoned. 

T . F. stabbed a man in a fit of intoxication— came 
tor ten years — staid seven, and was pardoned. 

W. J. engaged in house breaking and shooting a wo- 
sent here for ninety-four years — has the pro- 



348 POPE G. THE FUSSING GUARD. 

nnse of being, and expects soon to be turned out (after 
staying about five years), by Gov. Edwards! Besides 
a host of thieves, gamblers, whoremongers, burglers, 
&c, who have been pardoned by the forementioned Go- 
vernors ! So partial did the Executives manifest them- 
selves to murderers, that it passed into a proverb amon« 
the prisoners, " A murderer can get pardoned out soon° 
er and easier than those charged with any other crime, 
though they may be innocent !" « If you wish to get 
pardoned out quick, commit murder," &c. Such a pub 
lie sentiment does slavery foster! 

Sept. 2. Pope G. was in, with whom I talked. " Do 
you hear anything said about letting me go from this 
place?" "0 yes, Thompson, I hear a good deal said 
about you." « Anything about letting me go soon?" 
L !r,?' pe ° ple outside thlnk you do not wish to get out." 

Well I shall not fret about it either way, and if I could 
see that I was doing good to my fellows, I should not 
care for my release." « I think they should let Burr «r 
at least as he is a cripple, has a broken constitution, 
and can t do much. I suppose he can't earn his salt 
now." 

Sept. 21. Capt. G. and prisoners at work (Sabbath). 
We were also annoyed by pounding, bawling from cell 
to cell, and dancing. I complained to Capt. G. He 
paid no attention to it. In the afternoon, James and 
myself were singing, when a new, ignorant guard came 
along, looked in, his face flushed with anger, and said, 

-Do you know you are breaking the rules 1" " We do 
not know it." « Well, I'll help you to know it. PI] 
have no fuss or loud talking here. What are your 
names ?" " Burr and Thompson." He shut both doors 
in a great rage. We continued our singing knowing 
what we were about, and had no < ' fuss." 

f ^ \^ ed r Slave ' " When are y° u going to be 
free?" "After I am dead." This is the poor*slave's 
nope. r 



the slave's hope. 349 



L 



From this sore bondage I then shall be free, 

After I'm dead— after I'm dead. 
Rest in the grave, there remains yet for me, 

After I'm dead — after I'm dead. 
Here, I expect still to suffer and toil, 
And with my heart's blood to fatten the soil; 
But oh ! I shall rest, from this world of turmoil 

After I'm dead — after I'm dead. 

II. 
i shall be free from the tyrant's strong hand, 

After I'm dead— after I'm dead. 
Nor trembling hear his loud threat'ning command, 

After I'm dead— after I'm dead. 
Now, they may bind me, and beat when they please, 
Press me with burdens which give me no ease; 
No more, as their victim, on me shall they seize, 
After I'm dead — after I'm dead. 
III. 
I shall be free from their scorn and contempt, 

After I'm dead— after I'm dead. 
They to their malice may give a free vent, 

After I'm dead — after I'm dead. 
Far from their power, I then shall abide, 
Safe from their envy— secure from their pride ; 
And soon, in the dust, they will lie by my side, 
After I'm dead— after I'm dead. 
IV. 
I shall be free ! 0, the rapturous name ! 

After I'm dead — after I'm dead. 
Free from my shackles, and all mortals' claim, 

After I'm dead— after I'm dead. 
And my dear Savior I hope soon to see, 
Who gave His life as a ransom for me, 
That I, in his kingdom, might ever be FREE, 
After Tm dead— after I'm dead. 
Penitentiary, Sept, 25, 1845. 

Toward the last of September, James was sick again 
with ague — took much medicine. 

At that time, I composed an address to the Governor 
in poetry, which he received kindly, and showed to 






ADDRESS rO GOV. ! D\\ 



numbers w bo i ami . I have not >r the 

• r should hai e the address. Hen I >llo* 
extract — 

I ' . ; Can' 

1 1 
I 

I: | 
\ 

I 

1 

Wh 

; — 
•\ " — 
\\ • 

.til, 
^ 'II. 

I mil frail il ; 

Wh 

1 • 



B I'ARlx H 351 

31 l. 
. in company 
ernor in 

as — ■ 

i . i [was ap- 

them, in carrying 

■ 
I .'inu- 
l 

I . •• I will 

P . is guide. 

I lh€ time, 

I th to 

I 

" and 

; 
N 

drag 
i cell 
1 
i 
In the i I 

\ him to 

, ■ ' i 1 lying 

helplea 
\\ . rried him to hi 



352 CRUKLTY — NOTHING AGAINST ME. 

where he remained a considerable time before he could 

out, 

Nov. 8. One who has lived South, said to James, " 1 

en planters sit down, each bet a nigger, and 

ile for them !" Cm the history of heathenism 

furnish its equal .' And yet who can* doubt it I Is it 

"just like" slavery, thus to demoniz* the master, 

while it brutalizi i the slai 

On the Barae day, J.F., a former i . was in, 

with whom! spoke, He said, " I have beard nothing 
• .^t y u — nothing against your conduct here. ] 
kn <a mi reason whj you should n<>t go out as well as 
Work, [f one, all — for all are equally guilty. I don't 
think they can require any more than that you shall not 
do so again. I should rather have seen von go out, than 
some who have been pardoned, who will be cum 
society ." 

21. James went to the quarry, with the hands, for his 
health. \ rock burst from tl I the fire. \ 

guard said to , I • j ou came out here with 

us. You have tin B e, and therefore good Providence 
cted us from 1 > * • 1 1 1 -_^ hurt. 
For a number of days be went outside, and was greatly 
benefited. 

VISIT PEOM i Kn | 

On the22d,W. M. and M. C. arrived at our mansion. 

It was Saturday evening, and we talked with them, be- 
fore a guard-room full. 

On Sabbath afternoon, they came to our cell, w] 
we conversed, and prayed, and sang, till night, wit] 

nit. Prom them we learned much about I 
of the ami-slavery cause, and of the world, It wasun- 
kably sweet, thus to fellowship together oner more. 
Why were we bo favored above other prisoners-. w\a-n 
their friends come to see them? My only answer is, 
" I' was the good hand of God uj ," constraii 

4 the enemy to entreat us well in thi 

On Monday they conversed with the Governor, who 
promised that he would turn us out, if they would s,. n d 



THE BEST WINE. 353 

a petition from Marion county, from whence we were sent. 
He sai I, " They have been punished enough, and if I 

I would turn 

but I ;.)le." In the 

., and brought dried fruit, 

pples, Missionary 

II. i don Missionaries, writing paper, &c. 

That night, I j writing and preparing 

by them. In the morning, again 

• ! and prayed with them, and gave them just what 

-no officer asking, " What have you there '." 

x the box and the bundle, but Baid nothing. 

\\ Godl Tins 

tment ia to be attribute God, to Judge Bro\a n 

: all our friends when 

« G ."In every instance, 

^ the L lercj rebuked 

served, but by 

ranting us unex- 

ed prii ilei es. O ! "ho 

his mercy to his little om 
• the best \\ ine • i till after they were 

iding the Missionary Heralds, hut especial- 
ly o., souls feasted. M) jour- 
nal says, "Such emotions as till m\ soul, I cannot 
We both have to shout glory ! glorj ! glorj to 
i , M , .id and rejo ail Bhout — read and 
thank- the Lord for such a n in the history of 
missj ming out from tin- aboun- 
ded here in 
n, for a purging of the church in this thing. Glory 
( . d tor such inteili 

In the Heralds we visited Dearly all parts of the world, 
ced, and wept with the missionaries— heard the 

• - aw the idol - the dars 

and the light spread abr L ke John Baptist, 

. : ii we were in ; we heard of the wonderful 

i, W< quickly pass fiom Mendi to Guinea, 

i, . \ ..■ !, Ceylon, Bombay, Madura, Siam, China, 

i .1.1 Islands, the Rocky Mountains, 



35 J DUCKING. 

Red Lake, from tribe to tribe — from nation to nation — - 
from continent to continent, and round the world we go 
— hasten hack to our " hallowed cell,''' and lift up our 
prayer for the Holy Spirit to be poured upon them. 

SLAVEHOLDERS' CHRISTIANITY. 

Nov. 30. Our Chaplain, before all the prisoners, 
called Captain G., " Brother Gorden ! !" The most 
abased prisoner among us, saw the inconsistency of such 
an appellation, and many made their remarks upon it. 

But I suppose the chaplain did not know as much 
about his u Brother" as we did — for on that very Sab- 
bath, he had been at work all day, with a number of 
hands. However, perhaps this Is as much as ran be 
expected fiom a slaveholding religion. It does not 
require them to give up their sins — their greatest sins. 
They can hold slaves, break the Sabbath, oppress, be 
covetous, commit adultery, lie, steal, murder, and still 
be good members of the church ! / know it to be so. 

o 

ENOUGH TO CAT — DUCKING. 
Dec. 3. Captain G. whipped a man tor cooking a 

little, which was very Common. At the table he forbid 
any man's cooking, and said, u If any one does not get 
enough to eat, come to me, and he shall have it.*' The 
next day, one went to him, and asked for more — he 
took him into the guard-room and ducked him for it — 
and that is the k * enough to eat," he got ! 

The ducking apparatus is a large armed chair, in 
which the sufferer is tied, hand and foot, so that he can- 
not move. Then there is a box which fits close round 
the neck below, and open at the top, into which they 
pour a bason or pail full of water, directly into the man's 
face. Not being able to avoid the water, he is strangled, 
choked, and almost killed. It is said to be very severe. 
It was an invention of McChesney, our former overseer, 
who was a perfect inquisitor. 

THE NEW PREACHER. 

Jan. 7. A fellow prisoner, who served two years 



PRISONERS EASILY AFFECTED AT FIRST. 355 

here, preached to us. He had been to the Pacific — was 
converted, turned preacher, came back, and solicited his 
fellows to make their peace with God. He was ignorant, 
but zealous, and his sermon produced more effect on offi- 
and prisoners, than all the sermons we had heard 
for years. Hard hearts melted, and eyes which had not 
wept for twenty years, were then moistened. 

Such a shake of the hand as he gave us, we had not 
received in Missouri. He knew not how to let us go ; 
and as he left, he said, " We'll soon be released from 
earth — we'll soon meet in heaven.'' 

THE NEW PRISONER. 

Jan. 9. A new prisoner came, with whom I convers- 
ed. His feelings were tender, and he wept freely. He 
said, u 1 hope it will be for my good. My "Id mother is 
a widow, and she has prayed for me, thousands and 
thousands of times | weepingj. I will never do so again. 
I am resolved to the Lord the resl of my days." 

M Do you praj '." •• Yes, I have prayed, day and night, 
■ ping], ever since I was convicted, and am deter- 
mined to continue. I wish to know my duty- I desire 
that all here may come to Jesus, 91 &c. I told him of his 
trials, and gave him counsel, lb- did continue to pray. 

Many when the) first come are very tender, and open 
to tli'' truth. Proper officers and treatment, would save 
them, but they are neglected, mingle with the despe- 
rate, become hardened and prepared for all evil. 



CHAPTER X. 
PETITION— STATE SECRETARY-^TAMES PARDONED. 

ANOTHER IVTEBESTING CASE. 

Dec. 12. T conversed with a man who said " I be- 
In- vr my coming here is tin- best thing thai ever happen- 
ed to me. 1 have been a rery b?d man, tor twelve or 



356 JAMES FAINTED. 

fifteen years back- —not hurting others, but myself — I 
have been my worst enemy. I am now determined it 
shall be my whole effort, desire, and study to serve God. 
There is no other object worthy of man. It is what he 
was created and placed here for. As for the riches and 
honors of the world, I care no more about them than 
about the dust on which I tread." He left hi ten days 
after. 

Such cases were very reviving to our hearts, amid the 
dense darkness. 

Jan. 18. We took to our cell, the tinner's furnace, 
with coals. As I sat looking in my atlas, James com- 
plained of his heart beating very hard, fainted, and fell 
into my lap. With my foot I knocked on the door, and 
called a guard ; he came with the steward, and brought 
medicine. After they left, he had another spasm, 
and fell back on the bed — soon vomited profusely — I 
had the headache all the night. Such being the effect 
of our fire, we concluded to go without, and endure the 
cold. 

Towards the last of December, I worked evenings, 
packing pork. Thousands of hogs were here killed, the 
most of the feet of which we had to eat. 

Jan. 4^ 1846, we observed as a day of fasting and 
prayer, for our own benefit, and the conversion of the 
world. In the forenoon, we " remembered" Jesus in 
his own ordinance, and sang hymns which I prepared 
for the occasion. The afternoon was devoted to singing 
and praying for the church, the boards, the missionaries, 
and the world — and we longed to be in the field. 

THE CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN. 

A man sent here for ninety-nine years, for murder, 
said to me, as I was questioning him, " I learnt all my 
prayers when I was a little boy, and keep them yet. I 
have not learned any new ones. I was born in the 
Catholic Church, and I will die in it. I don't swear 
much — a little sometimes, and I pray every Sunday," 
&c. Poor man ! 

There are many Catholics here, and generally they 



SUSPENSE TALK WITH JUDGE B. 357 

are very strict to pray — every day, or at least, on Sun- 
days — but they will get angry, swear, break the Sabbath, 
&c. The priest carne to see them, brought books, went 
through his ceremonies, and they could have the sacra- 
ment administered to them, while protestants plead in 
vain for a minister to come, and break unto them the sa- 
cred emblems ! 

During the winter, when we could not keep warm by 
wrapping our blankets around us, we covered up in 
bed,- so that we could read. I fixed our lamp, so that 
we could go to bed, and read evenings. 

20. We obtained permission to have a young man 
cell with us, that we might do him good. Said Judge 
B., " If you can make him any better, I have no objec- 
tion." He was with us one night — prayed, and talked 
well. But the next day Capt. G. took him away, and 
put a small boy with us, who had just come, saying, 
" Take this boy and teach him better morals." He re- 
mained with us about a week, when I hurt my back, 
and not having room in our bed, he left. 

About this time, we lived in considerable suspense, 
having heard that Swartout had been here a month, 
with a large petition from Marion Co. We expected 
the Governor would do as he promised, but he did not. 
Numbers spoke to us, saying, " You will go out in a 
few days." We endeavored to be prepared, and then 
left it all with the Lord. 

This was the time Chase came, and wished me to sign 
a renunciation of my principles, for my liberty ! I 
talked with Judge B.* "Can you doit?" "I cannot." 
" Well, do not make any such pledge, unless you feel it, 
and can live up to it. If you should renounce, Chase, 
probably, would turn right round, and call you a hypo- 
crite, &c. I am willing you should go out. As to your 
conduct and Burr's, it is known outside, as well as it is 
in here. I think they can make no such requirement," 

&c. 

Penitentiary, Jan. 21, I84f> 

Dear Sir: 

Is an American citizen, in this day of light and lib- 



358 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO GOV. EDWARDS. 

erty, to be imprisoned, because he thinks differently from 
others 1 And has he not the lawful right to express 
those thoughts, without fear of incarceration 1 Then is 
it in accordance with the spirit of our free government, to 
continue to hold a man in prison, till he shall renounce 
his peculiar sentiments'? 

Suppose, sir, the Whig party should gain the ascend- 
ency, and put you in prison, for advocating Democracy 
— and at the end of four and a half years, should grave- 
ly ask you if you would renounce those principles for 
your freedom ! Would you not reject such a proposition 
with disdain, and rather choose your dungeon 1 Are 
such arguments calculated to change a man's sentiments 1 
But have my private sentiments anything to do with the 
matter of releasement? 

If, in this free country, and under laws which secure 
to every man, the freedom of thought and speech, a man 
is to be imprisoned, or held in prison, because he does 
not think as some others do, we may as well, at once, 
adopt the ancient, Papal mode — incarcerate, torture, and 
burn all who differ from the party in ascendency ! If I 
have broken the laws of a state, can more be required of 
me, as a condition of pardon, than that I should keep, 
and honor those laws in future 1 Or, if I could not con- 
scientiously comply with them, that I leave the State, 
and no more interfere with them? Such I will do. 

Can more be required of me 1 Should not every man 
of reason and humanity be satisfied ? 

George Thompson. 

the secretary of state col. martin. 

Jan. 26. The above named person came to see us. 
" I came to have a free, candid talk with you, and I 
want you to answer as in the presence of the Deity. I 
am very much prejudiced against abolitionists. I am a 
southerner — live in a slave State, and hold slaves. I 
came of my own accord to know your feelings. W T hat 
is the object of the Abolition Society — general emanci- 
pation V 9 " Yes sir — by moral suasion, light, and argu- 
ments. They disapprove of carnal means, except some 



THE INQUISITIVE COL. MARTIN. 2j9 

" hot-heads" who are for fighting — there is a great diffe- 
rence between them." " What are your views ?" 
" Slavery is wrong, and all lawful means should be used 
to put it away, as soon as possible." " If you were re- 
leased, and, in a meeting, should be called upon for an 
expression of your feelings, what would you tell themT' 
" I would tell them honestly, and correct their preju- 
dices*" 

Other conversation occurred, not important to be 
mentioned. He asked James nearly the same ques- 
tions, and others in addition. " If you were free 
now, what could you do?'* "I would get into a 
free State as quick as possible, and stay there." " But 
that is not enough — we don't care so much about the 
locomotive, as we do the influence. It is the principle 
that does the mischief." " What I did, was in kindness 
to the black man — he plead so hard." " I don't doubt 
that there are a great many abolitionists who are actuat- 
ed by the purest motives." " I will leave the State, 
and will persuade my friends not to do as I did." * 

What right had they thus to pry into our private sen- 
timents, and lead us to break the laws of Missouri, 
which forbid the expression of such principles ? The 
right was the might, in order to find some pretence for 
detaining us still longer ! If, then, our enemies were at 
any time deceived by ambiguous answers (we always 
spoke the truth), we say to them as Paul said on a cer- 
tain occasion, " Ye have compelled us." W T e told as lit- 
tle as they would let us tell, till our tongues should be 
loosed and unfettered. 

If they considered us thieves, would f'aey care nothing 
about the locomotive ? So long as a thief keeps away 
from them, they have nothing to fear. The reader can 
carry out the reflections, and make the application. 

JAMES PARDONED. 

Jan. 30. In the forenoon James was suddenly snatch- 
ed from me, leaving me alone — and yet not alone, for 

* That is, not to go into a slave State for slaves. 



360 JAMES RELEASED. 

Jesus was with me. He was ready — took out with him 
all his papers, but expecting to go myself, I had made 
no arrangement for him to take mine, though I had but 
little, having sent them away from time to time. 

His pardon is similar to Alanson's, except that it is 
without conditions. I rejoiced to see him go. Ail the 
prisoners were glad to see u old Burr," as they called 
him, go out to enjoy liberty again. 

DEPARTURE OF JAMES EXTRACT. 

J. 
First one, now the other has left 
My partners in gladness and woe: 
Of all kindred spirits bereft, 
For comfort to whom shall I go ? 
There's none here my burdens can share, 
To whom I can open my heart — 
They pity, and wonder, and stare, 
But none understandeth my smart. 

II. 

But glory to God and the Lamb ! 
With freedom to Him I can go : 
My case He doth well understand, 
And each secret feeling doth know. 
To Him I'll unburthen my soul, 
For He will sweet comfort afford ; 
And while the high waves o'er me roil, 
I humbly will trust in the Lord. 

Ill 
A pris'ner, they long may retain — 
With locks, bolts, and bars, keep secure 
This body — in torturing pain, 
While reason, or life shall endure. 
They cannot, no cannot they bind, 
What God has created so free — 
The spirit immortal — the mind — 
A slave it disdaineth to be. 

IV. 

From dungeons it sallies abroad, 
And visits earth's far distant shores, 
Surveys the creation of God, 
And earth, seas, and planets, explores — 



FOETITS- — fHE MIND- 361 

From Arctic to Antarctic liieb, 
Where mortals did never yet treau 
From West, to behold the sun rise. 
And view the life-giving beams spread 

V 

It enters the churches so fair, 

Where saints in devotion are bowM. 

And joins in importunate prayer, 

Or harmonic praises aloud. 

It hastes to the lovely fireside, 

Where kindred and friends gather round ; 

Or far where the heathen abides, 

And Heralds in labors abound. 

VI. 

It soars to the heavenly throne, 
Where angels and saints join in praise; 
Views pleasures to mortals unknown, 
And glory that never decays — 
Holds converse with Jesus the King, 
And infinite blessings receives — 
Returns to the dungeon to bring 
Sweet comfort to him that believes. 

VII. 
Then bind me with chains, hand and foot- 
My body with burdens crush down — 
Or deep in foul dungeons be put, 
And all men with enmity frown — 
Yet let it to all men be told — 
To all who with sorrows are bow'd, 
In every condition, I hold, 
In spirit, communion with God. 
Penitentiary, January 31, 1846. 

The Lord showed me that an arm of flesh was short, 
and I sank into his arms, submissive to his will. I had 
some inexpressibly sweet seasons, alone in my cell, 
pouring out my whole heart before the Lord. He quiet- 
ed my soul in himself ; I believed and was happy. I 
felt that he had wise reasons for detaining me, and very 
soon he showed me those reasons, and I blessed Him 
that I did not go out. I soon found that my work was 
aot done in the penitentiary — but more of this shortly. 

T am not certain that the officers did not use their infiu- 
16 



362 PRISON WORK NOT DONE. 

ence to keep me, for the day after James left, two valua- 
ble hands ran away. 

NEW CELL MATE. 

Feb. 1. A very wicked man was put in with me — 
one who had run away many times, and caused them 
much trouble. I went to Captain G., and requested an 
exchange, but he would not listen, saying, " I put him 
there to keep him from giving me trouble." 

This was the first time I had been locked up with one 
who had no fear of God before him, and I sought wisd )in 
and grace from above. But I soon found him a very 
quiet man, willing that I should go on as usual with my 
devotions. He listened while I read, and kneeled in 
time of prayer. Being very anxious to learn to read, [ 
gave him instruction. And as he was one who would 
keep a secret till he died, and despised a traitor, I went 
on without fear, with my writings and plans, as when 
James was with me. The change in his feelings was 
wonderful and rapid. He had been a thief for seven 
years, and before he came to my cell, was studying and 
dreaming day and night about getting away and being- 
taken. But these feelings soon left him, and he could 
sleep soundly all night. He frequently expressed him- 
self as fully determined to live an honest life — became 
reconciled to his lot — was very much engaged in his 
book — and said he despised nothing so much as thieves 
— to his mind they had become loathsome. He had 
many questions to ask about religion. I bavp hope lor 
him. 

THE SLAVE'S REQUEST. 

Soon after James left, a slave, w T ith whom I hau long 
been acquainted, came to me, and was very urgent thaf 
I should write him a free paper. " I am about to leave 
this place, and want a favor." I told him that I could 
not do such a thing. He entreated. Said I, "Try 
without." " I shall be caught." I told him where he 
would find friends. And when I made his case known 
to a wicked fellow prisoner, he said, " Do you havf» 



J ESIRK I CKt LIBERTY. 363 

nothing to do with it. I'll attend to him." He wrote 
for the slave a " pass," and gave him all needful instruc- 
tion. Whether he succeeded I cannot tell. 

HOGS OUT. 

Feb. 10. By order of the inspectors, the hogs were 
all turned out of the yard. For nearly four and a half 
years, we have lived in a hog-pen, disagreeable, filthy, 
and abominable. We made complaints to the inspectors, 
but till now, our requests had been unheeded ! From 
twenty to forty, and even to two, four, and five hundred 
of these filthy, condemned, and abominable creatures 
have associated, fed, and slept, in the same pen and 
building, which one hundred and fifty prisoners occupi- 
ed. Well, it is just like slavery. 

TALK WITH MR. STRINGFELLOW, THE STATE'S ATTORNEY. 

"I am very much prejudiced against abolitionists, and 
have no sympathy for you. If you had done it out of 
rascality, I would have felt for you, but you had no per- 
sonal interest in view, and such meddling I despise. 
Or if it had been some poor, ignorant, foolish fellow, I 
could have sympathy ; but you are a sensible man, and 
I have no sympathy for you. Work and Burr were^ re- 
presented by Swartout as weak men, having little mind, 
and led into it by you. I would not believe you if you 
said you gave up your principles. You feel as you did 
before, and if free, would you not turn round and say 
that such laws (as make men property, and imprison 
men for helping slaves), are not laws'? Do you not feel 
towards the niggers as always?" _ " I feel that they are 
men." " And have as good a right to be free' as any 
body'?" " Yes, by all lawful means. But I would 
leave the continent." " Yes, and go right among the 
niggers, which shows that your feelings towards them are 
not" changed. 1 saw one of your letters." "But I 
would go to instruct them, as any other heathen." 
" They "are good for nothing but slaves— they never 
could, and never can take care of themselves. I can- 
not, promise to do anything for you," &c. 



364 SYMPATHY FOR RASCALS. 

No comment is needed. In addition, I heard from 
him more oaths and profanity than I had heard in a long 
time from the most depraved convict. 

Again, to prove the truth of his assertion, he used his 
influence, and plead one hour for the release of one who 
" did it out of rascality" — who stole two slaves, sold 
them, and pocketed the money. For him, he had sym- 
pathy. Reader, put this down as a fair specimen of 
Missouri justice. 

14. Judge B. said to me, " I think you will have to 
stay till next Legislature. I don't think the Governor 
will take the responsibility (!) without a heavy petition.* 
I told him, as to my part, I was perfectly willing you 
should go, and can do no more. Take it patiently — the 
time will soon run round." A prisoner who came about 
this time, and knew something about public sentiment, 
said, " All they are keeping Thompson here for, is be- 
cause he will not give up his sentiments." 

I have mentioned that one of Lovejoy's murderers is 
here — I have also had two other prisoners confess to 
me, that they were engaged in destroying Pennsylvania 
Hall — one of them was a ring-leader, — here for seven 
years. 

TWO MORE CONVERTS. 

After preaching, Feb. 22, two persons came forward 
and professed to give their hearts to God. Here, again, 
was work for me in which I rejoiced. Both talked well, 
and expressed themselves as strongly determined to serve 
the Lord. With one of them I frequently prayed. The 
evidence of a genuine change was cheering. They 
met with many sneers, but bore them patiently. I en- 
deavored to instruct and strengthen them. 

CRUELTY. 

A man was whipped by Capt. G., first with a stick, 
then with a cow-hide, and then with the strap, because 

" The petition which took James out, was for both of us, and was a 
'heavy petition," as Judge B., the inspectors, and others testified. 



THE LAST CONVERT. 365 

he would not do what he could not — beam a chain in 
fifteen minutes. It cannot be done with such chains as 
we generally get. I know something about it. " Will 
you do if?" " I can't, if you should kill me." "Well, I'll 
kill you if you don't," &c. A slaveholding Christian ! 

THE LAST CONVERT. 

After James left, I become acquainted with a young 
Scotchman, who seemed very steady, industrious, and 
quite intelligent. As I was always looking out foi 
singers, he was recommended to me by some who 
sat near him in meeting, and heard him, as a good sing- 
er. I sought opportunities to converse with him — found 
him open and frank, and desirous of Christian instruc- 
tion. Learning the state of his mind, I selected books 
suitable to his case, and lent to him — which he read w r ith 
attention and earnestness. The Lord blessed the truth, 
and soon he was " sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed 
and in his right mind." He adopted the words of Harlan 
Page, " Resolved, that I will, the Lord being my helper, 
think, speak, and act, as an individual — for as such I 
must live — as such I must die, stand before God and be 
damned, or saved for ever. I have been waiting for 
others. I must act, as if I was the only one to act, and 
wait no longer." He said, " Although I feel for you, 
being here, yet I am glad to have such a one to whom I 
can unbosom my feelings. I hate sin. I long to cease 
from sin." " The profanity of my cell-mates, often 
breaks in like an intruder on my best thoughts," &c. I 
should be glad to give the correspondence that took 
place between us, on blank leaves, sand-paper, and 
boards, but my limits forbid. 

I asked the Lord to let him cell with me — he went to 
Captain G., trembling lest he should be refused, but the 
Lord touched his heart. The Scotchman was not 
familiar with many of our tunes, and this he urged as one 
reason why he desired to cell with me— that he might 
learn my tunes, and be able to sing in meeting. Capt. 
G. consented, on one condition, namely, that I should 
furnish bed clothing ! (which I gladly did). But how 



366 TH£ LAST CONVERT. 

mean and unjust ! By law, they are bound to provide 
these things, and yet it is not enough that I furnish my 
own, — I must also furnish for others, and for those, too, 
who are forced upon me ! (my wicked cell-mate). But 
I was thankful that I was able, by the blessing of God, 
to furnish a bed for myself and others too, in a peniten- 
tiary. As J. A. came into the cell, he said " I feel as 
if I had been set at liberty." I found him truly con- 
verted — humble, teachable, prayerful, studious, consci- 
entious, faithful, and desirous of knowing his whole 
duty. Again I enjoyed the luxury of social reading, 
singing, and prayer. 

Our Sabbaths were delightful. His heart entered right 
into all my feelings, and circumstances, and principles, 
so that we were one. We took great comfort in singing. 
He was anxious to learn all the tunes he could, before I 
should be snatched away. 

Many of our evenings were spent, in composing poetic 
dialogues — each composing his part. Much of our 
conversation was in poetry. His outward deportment 
commended him to the consciences of officers and pri- 
soners — being faithful in all that was appointed him. 

Our hearts became united, like those of David and 
Jonathan — and now, he seems as near to me as an own 
brother. Having " begotten him in my bonds," my soul 
yearns over him. 

O ! how often has my whole being blessed the Lord 
that he did not let me go with James ! What would 
have become of these precious souls'? Soon after J. A. 
came to cell with me, he remarked " I am bound to 
acknowledge the hand of God, in my affliction, and in 
coming into this cell. I remember the words you spoke 
to me, when I was sawing — to consider why God con- 
tended with me — I thought of it all night, reviewed my 
life, and saw my state. I had entirely forgotten God, 
and it is for my good that I am here." He renounced 
all sin — liquor, tobacco, &c, and was a happy man. 

March 3. I urged the chaplain to stay, after preach- 
ing, converse and do good. Said he, " Yes, but there 



THE FUGITIVE MISSIONARY. 367 

are so many gag-laws, here, I know not when I should 
run foul of them." He lacked courage. 

March 16. Said a slave to a prisoner, in my hearing, 
" I have a much harder master than you have, and J 
would not stay here five minutes, if I had any way to es- 
cape." How " contented and happy !" Poor fellow. 

March 18. A prisoner who had been an overseer in 
the South, told me the following. A tyrannical overseer 
took his place and undertook to whip Harry, an old 
slave preacher. Harry ran, and went to C, about two 
hundred miles, and told him his circumstances. He 
took two horses and carried Harry to a tribe of Indians. 
Some years after he went there and saw Harry, w T ho 
was preaching to the Indians. They thought every 
thing of their preacher, and would not part with him on 
any account. 

May such fugitives be greatly multiplied. Amen. 

March 21. Talked with the new inspector. He is 
very kind — said, " As for my part I wish you was out — 
you have been here long enough. I believe you are an 
honest, virtuous man, and have a large circle of virtuous 
friends. I wish you was out. I will speak for you 
to the Governor," &c. Such language was not com- 
mon. 

March 24. The southern overseer told me that sell- 
ing unborn children was common in the South ! Price 
from one hundred, to one hundred and fifty dollars ! ! ! 

March 29. A slave said to a prisoner, "I would be 
mighty willing to serve seven years here, and work hard 
for my liberty, and so would the most of all that ever I 
knew." Another slave made the same remark to one 
of my cell-mates. ! what a horrid insult to human 
nature, is it to say that the " slaves are contented and 
happy !" Lord, spare such blasphemers ! 

April 12. At the table on Sabbath morning, Capt. 
G. gave out, " I now give from eight to ten o'clock for 
all who wish to wash or , clean their cells!" And ! 
what confusion and noise — bu some sweet was mingled 
with the bitter. In this time I collected the lambs with 



368 THE LORD DEFENDED ME. 

some of tlie impenitent, and had a precious prayer meet- 
ing. The Lord blessed our souls. 

April 15. A slave came to me lor directions to liber- 
ty — said " One word from you is better than gold." I 
value the " blessing of those ready to perish." 

April 20. A petition was presented to Judge B. with 
eighty-five names, that I might preach to them when no 
minister was here. Nothing was heard from it. 

About this time Capt. G. for some cause, very earnest- 
ly desired to glut his cruelty by punishing me — as he 
had never enjoyed that sweet privilege. He w T atched 
my steps, as a wolf would watch for a lamb, but God 
encircled and shielded me from all his devices, cast back 
upon him all his false charges, and brought me through 
the battle unhurt. 

April 27. At the table, Capt. G. said, " I have re- 
quested — I have advised you not to talk, and now I say 
you shan't talk, in your cell or out. I'll punish for 
every offence. There shall be no singing or whistling 
in the cells." We sang and prayed as usual — no man 
daring " to molest, or make us afraid." And as to 
talking, they may as well try to roll back the Niagara, 
as to stop talking, while the prisoners work and cell to- 
gether as they do. 

THE LAST COMMUNION SEASON. 

May 3. I broke the sacred emblems to my beloved 
" son, in the Lord." It was sweet to feed the lamb — 
and cheering to see him renew his strength, and burn 
with more ardent love. It was a precious season to him. 
We desired others to be present, but Capt. G. sneering- 
ly refused. Said J. A., " I now feel doubly united to 
you as a brother in Christ." 

After dinner, others came, and we had a melting sea- 
son of prayer and praise. 

miss pix. 

15. The modern Howard, in feminine gender, made us 
a visit. She first went round with the officers, but she 
had been in prisons enough to know that the truth could 



CAPT. 



369 



not be obtained from them , and she talked with the priso- 
ners, who opened the abominations beforeher. I had a 
long, familiar, and very interesting talk with her. She 
was bold, affable, and sympathizing. She asked a great 
many questions, to which I gave answers. An officer came 
to me, and said, " There is a lady here, who has been 
visiting all the prisons in the United States, and trying 
to alleviate the sufferings of prisoners. She wishes to 
talk with you." We talked as much as we desired. I 
addressed a short poem to her, but saw her not, after- 
wards. 

18. The guard forgot to lock our cell, at night. I 
waited till bed time, and, as I had a wicked man with 
me, for " safe-keeping," I went down, in the dark, and 
called a guard to perform his duty. 

About this time, Capt. G.,on two Sabbath mornings 
made all the prisoners go into the new building, for one 
hour, where they ran, jumped, scuffled, and carried on 
as if it were a fourth of July — the guards joining with 
them, and Capt. G. looking on ! A reformer ! He will 
meet all these things at the solemn judgment. 

23. Talked with a sick convert. He said, " I feel 
just as I wished to feel." " How?" " Perfectly resign- 
ed to the will of my Maker. Heretofore, death was a 
terror to me. I prayed that God would give me to view 
it in its true light ; and as I was reading " Saints' Rest," 
(eightieth page), and thinking on death, I found peace, 
and now I am willing to die here, or where my Maker 
sees best. I felt as if I wanted to tell you. Tell J." &c. 

24. We were much annoyed, by the ringing shouts 
of warriors, and their friends, cheering them to the work 
of murder ! Strange Sabbath work ! T 

26. Saw an account of Torrey's death — composed 
some verses on the subject. I insert two verses. 

I. 

Our brother died — but 'twas the victor's death, 
Who in his fall, his greatest conquest won ; 

And more accomplished with his dying breath, 
Than he in all his life before had done. 

The shock was felt throughout the oppressor's camp — 

It cooled their zeal, and did their courage damp. 



370 



THE 



Rage on ye haughty tyrants of our land — 
Crush down the poor and needy, in the dust — 

But know the day of vengeance is at hand, 

When you shall feel th' Almighty's withering thrust 

In untold depths of woe to sink you down, 

While bright shall shine the objects of your frown. 



CHAPTER XII. 

RELEASE— PARTING REFLECTIONS, &c. 

THE AGED FATHER'S VISIT TO HIS SON IN PRISON. 

May. 28. My old father came to see me, and labor 
for my release. When I was first brought into his pre- 
sence, the father overcame him, and he wept, unable to 
speak. I said, " Weep not, father, < it is the Lord, let 
Him do what seemeth Him good/ " His mind became 
composed, and we conversed together, some time. The 
next day, we again conversed alone, and in the presence 
of Judge B. Speaking of giving up my principles, the 
judge said, " It is like requiring a man not to eat," &c. 
He talked well. At that time, I learned that it was my 
letter to the Governor, and my talk with the Secretary, 
that kept me here. For such a cause, I glory to stay. 
A number, speaking to father of the letter said, " If 
those are his sentiments still, I will oppose him — but if 
he renounces them, I will help him." I did not re- 
nounce a particle. For nearly a week, I talked with my 
father every day — each saying what we desired. He 
was allowed, during his whole stay, of four weeks, to 
come and talk alone with me, just when he chose. On 
the Sabbath, he was with me, in my cell — where we 
once more united our voices in prayer and praise. ! 
delightful moments ! 

I learned that great numbers of petitions, from free 
States, had been sent here for us, couched in denuncia- 



THE PETITIONS. 371 

tory language, calculated to exasperate the minds of 
slaveholders — and in addition, that the Governor had 
been obliged to pay postage on them, to the amount of 
three hundred dollars ! Now, while I am confident that 
the Lord will overrule the whole for the advancement of 
His cause, I must say, that in this thing — burdening the 
Governor witn the postage on business communications 
— my abolition friends acted very unwisely, and contra- 
ry to all acknowledged rules of propriety. And, while 
there can be no doubt that such petitions delayed my lib- 
eration, I bless the Lord that they were sent. If we 
were thieves, the Missourians must have seen we 
had a large company of warm allies — and that what 
they considered a crime, was, by a large part of the na- 
tion, looked upon as a virtuous act. 

June 7. Learned that people outside are afraid of my 
pen, if I should be liberated ; and that it is possible I 
may be required to give a pledge not to use it against 
them. No such pledge was required — and sooner than 
give it, I would lay down my life. 

The chaplain said to father, " I don't know how I 
could get along without George." But I left one to fill 
my place — a worthy Christian. 

June 10. Said a prisoner to Judge B., u Judge, I 
wish you would permit George to preach once before I 
go away'?" " Before you go away?' "Yes." U I 
would if I thought it would do any good." u I think 
it would." " Well I'll let him." He said, and did not. 

Said father, " They look upon you as a Christian — 
though in error." And for this " error," they have long 
kept a " Christian" in prison ! 

June 11. Father came in with the chaplain and Tho. 
Miller — Judge B. present. " George," said father, " tell 
these men how you feel respecting the act that brought 
you here." " I would not do the same thing again ; 
and I would try and deter others from doing as I did. 
The step w T as rash and imprudent." 

Chaplain — "You unqualifiedly regret it, and will ne- 
ver do so again'?" " I will never do so again." 



372 QUESTIONED PRIVATE SENTIMENTS. 

Miller — " You will deter others from it V 9 " Rest as- 
sured of that, if I have any influence."* 

I promised to deter others from so doing. I have 
done so in public and in private — and I now again warn 
every reader against doing as we did. They now have 
laws against it — not that it is wrong to break those la^vs 
— they are not worth a straw — they are not laws, nor is 
there the least obligation to observe them — but — keep on 
free soil. 

June 13. The inspectors came, and introduced to me 
the Lieutenant Governor, who was acting in Gov. Ed- 
wards absence. He asked some questions similar to 
those already given — was kind, and threw his influence 
in my favor. 

June 14. For the last time, I collected the lambs, and 
had another prayer meeting. It was a blessed, reviving 
season. Beloved, sweet, " hallowed cell!" Just before 
I left, numbers of the influential men of Jefferson, said, 
" It is inconsistent and absurd to require him, or any 
man, to give up private sentiments in such a case — it is 
something we have nothing to do with." When they 
found they could not keep me any longer, I suppose 
they desired to smooth the matter over as well as possi- 
ble. But it came too late. The contrary fact is too no- 
torious, and cannot be denied. 

June 18. I was taken with ague again, and continued 
sick till I left on the twenty-fourth. 

The Governor returned, after a long absence — found 
most of the people in favor of turning me out — and he 
sent my " diploma" which is similar to Alanson's, except 

* Let it be remembered, that when I said I would not do so again — 
that I would deter others, &c., I did not confess to them that I did morally 
wrong. This I never acknowledged, though they tried hard to have me 
do so. The only reason, then, why I would not do so again, and why I 
would deter others from going to a slave State, as we did, is the same that 
would keep me from running into a lion's mouth, with my eyes open — 
the same that would keep you from thrusting yourself into' the midst of a 
pack of wolves to rescue a poor lamb— the same that kept Christ from 
casting Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple. He who acts 
presumptuously, need not expect the protection of heaven. Before my 
capture, I knew nothing of the danger—now I know it, and knowing it, 
it would be wrong to do the same again. Am I 1 'ght ? 



HEAVY CHARGE AGAINST MISSOURI. 373 

that there are no conditions expressed. My father wa& 
treated very kindly by all. The Secretary Martin, and 
State's Attorney Stringfellow, refused to favor, though 
they promised not to oppose. The fathers grey hairs 
excited sympathy, and his presence touched hearts, that 
other means had failed to move. 

Our library, bedding, under clothes, &c, I left for the 
good of my fellow sufferers, who were rejoiced to see 
me restored again to liberty. 

After I had faithfully labored so long, I was turned 
away with some old clothing, which scarcely covered 
my nakedness till I got home. I believe this was the 
case with Alanson and James. And it has been so with 
many. 

That evening the Governor came to see me, and 
clasped me as would a father his long lost son. He 
talked very kindly. Said he, " I have no doubt that all 
the States will by and by see it to be for their interest to 
do away slavery — for a free man will work faster, strike 
truer, bring it down harder, and work with more spirit 
and zeal, than a slave who gets nothing for his toils. 
One man in the East, will do as much as ten of our men 
(slaves) here," &c. He spoke very beautifully. 

Again, speaking of their contentedness and good treat- 
ment, he added, with emphasis, " But they are notfree, 
and every man who has a soul, ought to be free" fyc. 

The next day, we took boat and bade farewell to the 
prison, and the land of cruelty and oppression. 

TIME OF IMPRISONMENT. 





Years. 


Months. 


Days, 


Alanson was a prisoner, 
James, " 
George, " " 


3 

4 
4 


6 

6 

11 


7 
17 
12 



Total, 13 



All this amount of time, -labor, and suffering, stands 
entered in high heaven's ledger against Missouri. — For 
it she must account, and it she must repay — she cannot 
cast off the \o id. 



374 FAREWELL REFLECTIONS. 

What we have given, suffered, and done, we regret 
not. We gave it to the slave and to God, and He will 
make a wise and proper use of it. Yet Missouri must 
meet it all, at the solemn reckoning day. 

FAREWELL REFLECTIONS, ON THE BOAT WAPOOLA. 

The time I have spent in Jefferson seems like a dream 
of yesterday. How quickly the years have fled away ! 
The good Lord forgive my misimprovement of them — 
that I have been so dull to learn his lessons, and have 
reaped so little profit from the kind dispensations of his 
hand, which has meted out to us the whole in love. 

Farewell ! rugged hills, over which I have so often 
carried my heavy chain ; up and down which I have 
dragged my weary limbs along, and whose blooming 
herbage and refreshing groves have so long mocked my 
seclusion ; farewell. 

Farewell ! ye huge walls, iron grates, doors, locks, 
bars, dungeons, cells. Long did ye trifle with my mis- 
ery, and deride my wishful looks, and ardent desires, for 
sweet liberty. Long, long, ye held me fast, and would 
not let me go, but now your power is broken ; your pris- 
oner is free. 

Farewell ! excessive toils which crushed me to the 
earth. Farewell ! oppressors, cruel masters, tyrants : 
farewell. 

Ye fellow prisoners, farewell. With you I have 
long toiled, suffered, groaned, bled. Many of you I 
have warned, invited, counselled. Some of you I have 
comforted, encouraged, cheered, strengthened, and led 
to Jesus. Together we prayed, together sang. The 
Lord has called us to part, perhaps to meet no more in 
time ; farewell. But, though I say farewell, I cannot 
forget you. O no, I shall think, talk, and pray for you. 
I love you. I know the heart of a prisoner. But be 
patient ; farewell. 

Farewell ! ye who looked and pitied, but could not 
help ; who thought and wept, but could not relieve ; 
who loved and sympathized, but could not rescue ; who 
talked and prayed and urged ; who gave a willing 



CONCLUSION. 375 

shoulder with my aged father, and to your great joy saw 
me come forth a free man ; who tendered me the hearty 
shake, the open doors, and the liberal supply of my 
wants. The Lord reward you according to your "will- 
ing mind," for all you have done, or would have done 
for a " little one." 

" The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we 
are glad." " It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous 
in our eyes," — to Him be glory. " magnify the 
Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together." 
" The young lions may lack, and suffer hunger, but 
they who seek the Lord, shall want no good thing." 
" There shall no evil happen to the just." 

! blessed promise ! to the righteous given, 
While up and down this cruel world they're driven. 
It cheers their hearts, supports them in distress. 
And as for me, let others curse or bless, 
Believe this soul-reviving word, 1 must, 
" There shall no evil happen to the Just.' 

CONCLUSION. 

Reader, I have w T ritten a book and told you many 
things — but yet, " the half has not been told you." You 
will learn the rest at the judgment, when all things shall 
be revealed. 

Now are you in prosperity'? Will you be thankful, 
and improve your privileges and opportunities, before 
they are taken from you, and you learn the worth, by 
the want of them 1 

" Work while it is day," and " w T alk while you have 
the light." 

Are you in affliction 1 From what you have read, be 
encouraged to put your whole trust in God, and earth 
and hell united, cannot harm you. 

Had I a voice so strong and loud, 
To reach from east and west, 
I'd say to all with sorrows bow'd, 
"The will of Christ is best." 

Whatever your affliction, submit to God, and He won't 



376 - CONCLUSION. 

hurt you. Friends may forsake — foes gather round, the 
elements combine against you, and all nature threaten 
your destruction — " Have faith in God," and you shall 
stand unmoved. u Be not afraid, only believe." 

Are you in a state of impenitency 1 " Prepare to 
meet your God." 

Are you a slaveholder 1 " Break every yoke, and let 
die oppressed go free." 

Are you an apologist for slavery 1 " When thou saw- 
est a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast 
been partaker with adulterers." 

Are you one who refuses to take an active part against 
oppression in all its forms 1 " Open thy mouth for the 
dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to 
destruction. Open thy mouth, and plead the cause 
of the poor and needy," or God will hold you as an 
enemy. 

Are you a Christian ? " Thou shalt in any wise re- 
buke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him." " Be 
not partakers of other men's sins." "Keep thyself 
pure." See that the blood of the souls of " the poor 
innocents" is not on your garments. " Love thy neigh- 
bor as thyself." " As ye would that men should do to 
you, do ye even so to them." And remember, that 
" whosoever stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, 
shall also cry himself, and shall not be heard." 

Are you a minister of the covenant ? " Lift up thy 
voice like a trumpet — cry aloud, and spare not — show 
my people their sins." If thou refuse to warn the 
wicked of this way, he shall die, but his blood will I 
require at thy hands." 

Wo to him who holds his peace, in such a day as 
this! 

Wo to him who pleads for wickedness, in this day 
of light ! 

Wo to him who calls good, evil — and evil, good, in 
the nineteenth century ! 

Wo to him who opposes the onward march of liberty 
and righteousness ! 



CONCLUSION. 377 

Wo to him who will not " cease to do evil, and learn 
to do well." 

Wo, wo, to him who will not u remember them in 
bonds as bound with them /" 

Finally, whosoever has an ear, let it be open to the 
truth — an eye, let it search for the truth — a heart, let it 
receive and obey the truth. Whosoever has a pen, let 
him use it — and a tongue, let him employ it in oppos- 
ing Slavery — the " Mother of Abominations" in our 
land. 

Reader, farewell, till we meet nt the Judgment. 



31*77-2 



